Photo by Yair Mejía on Unsplash

I was there …

When your head passed through the birth canal and you crowned

When you splashed the tub water during your bath time

When you cooed, gurgled, and babbled

When you smiled at me from across the room

When you reached for your stuffed toy

When you held your head steady

When you rolled from your tummy to your back

When you shook your rattle and brought it to your mouth

When you rocked back and forth on your knees

I was there …

When you lay motionless on the cold floor

When you lay in the casket at the front of the room

When the limousine drove away from the funeral home

When the flowers were placed on your gravesite

I will be there …

When you welcome me into heaven

(First featured on Medium platform August 14, 2021)