Sitting and watching the world continue on it's axis,

I watch as my four year old finds magic in everything without knowing the story of everything's existence.

If there is a puddle he doesn't hesitate to jump in it.

Total disregard for the mess he will make and the damp clothes he will continue to wear.

If there is a flower he will smell it, noting the sweetness and immediately turning to give it to me without hesitation.

He sees the world and all its colors.

He befriends anybody and cannot judge because he has yet to be poisoned by the worlds static.

He lives every single moment as if he might miss something.

He doesn't yearn for his bed or wish to hide away from the world.

Instead, he wants the world to see him and he doesn't care what anybody thinks.

He loves with everything he has and his little heart beams with all the joy I so wish as an adult I could get back.

He creates art out of messes and poetry out of rambling.

He makes songs out of non-sense and dance out of playing.

He is the precious part of life we all once knew before we allowed the noise to take control.

How I hope to keep him here in his own little world as long as I can, but as we all know his magic, too, shall one day come to an end.

Forever will I remember his little chubby hands, giving me that wild flower that to him was the best gift he could give.

He has no idea what any of us would give to once again have that four year old state of mind.

Shook to the core,

I fell in disbelief;

Where did they all go?

Why was I alone with all this grief?

Taught to be who I am,

Proud of who I should become;

Not to forget who helped me through,

Or the roots I stemmed from.

When trouble arose

Without a doubt I was there;

When hearts were in pain,

I dropped everything to give care.

Never once did I question,

Never once did I sway;

"Family is everything."

Was how we were raised.

We still hope for the days of past,

But know there's been too many changes;

As children family stood strong,

As adults we are but strangers.

Blacksheep of the family,

Deemed broken inside;

Exhausted from ridicule,

And tired of the shaddow of lies.

I remain quiet in my little corner,

Watching others hope I stay put.

I'll just wait for you to need me again,

And respond exactly as family should.

Finally I realize,

The broken one isn't me;

It is those who chose to be blind,

Simply refusing to see.

Each heart beat because of somebody before,

An older limb on the same tree;

All raised with hope for the better,

We are the legacy.

I do not take this lightly,

Choosing to keep them alive;

Though those on earth do not see me,

Through the blood in my veins our family thrives.

Contempt in my heart,

I do not carry for any of you;

No matter how you feel of me,

"Family is everything" and will alway for me be true.

If only alone should be

This journey I take,

Know as long as I'm here,

Our family will never break.

If only in silence should my

Presence be,

Know I never lost sight of you,

Because you eached defined an important part me.