It looks up, oh so hopeful, to find the fun.

Everyone around it keeps drooping down;

It wishes that it could find the light.

When it tries to rise, everyone around it

Gives up and say goodbye to the ones they love.

There's one flower across the field, standing taller—

You wish you could be more like him.

You try to look up, but the sun keeps beating you down.

You can’t help but look away—it’s too bright,

Way too bright. You're not that bright.

You will never be that bright.

It will be hard to be the best one in the field,

But you can do it—just look up.

If you do become the best,

Be careful, because you could fall down.

The people that take in others when they have nowhere else to go,

I was raised by the people who love me no matter what little mistake I might make,

Who just wants to make sure you learn and grow on the way,

I was raised by the people who make sure I have everything I might ever need,

The ones that constantly ask what I need from the store,

I was raised by people who work hard every day to make sure their kids are happy,

Who plan trips and cook meals even when they’ve had a long day,

I was raised by the people who love me for me no matter what I do,

My favorite people in the world raised me,

Dad who works crazy hours in the ER,

Who comes home and cooks and helps us with whatever he needs,

Even when he’s not working he’s doing something,

The man who stitches up the kids in the neighborhood whenever they’re hurt,

Who tells us we are fine when we fall off our bike because he knows,

The guy who comes up three flights of stairs every night to tell all five of his kids,

He loves them, 

The one who prays with every kid before bed every night,

I was raised by him,

I was also raised by my mom,

The one who drives us all around town to take us to sports, school, games, and more,

The woman who yells the loudest from the bleachers so we know she is proud,

The one who picks up after us even when we make the mess,

The one who makes sure we are heard and we have everything,

She takes me shopping all the time so we can match everything,

She may not be as good at cooking as Dad, but she tries her best,

The woman who when we’re being cranky will stay calm and sweet,

I was raised by her,

I was raised by a whole,

And while my parents raised me,

I was humbled by my siblings,

They taught me to share and be a big sister,

I am thankful for everything,

I wouldn’t wish to be raised by anyone else

The paths you carve for yourself are the obstacles you face.

The times to remember and think back on being brave since birth.

You stand up and sniff the air, feeling ready to play. This is our place.

You have fun in the water as it continues to flow.

It flows and flows through dams and rocks till the final couple of miles when I know you won’t be here.

It dumps in the main, where you say your last words and say your goodbyes. This is the worst, you know.

Goodbye, my sweet friend. I am so sorry. This is the end. I wish you could still be here.

thank god,

I'm with my memories,

I promise,

I love you

You're wonderful

and never stopped.