Snowdrops for Ike

by Jim Brickman feat. Sara Evans

May the angels protect you
Trouble neglect you
And heaven accept you when its time to go home
May you always have plenty
The glass never empty
Know in your belly
You¹re never alone

May your tears come from laughing
You find friends worth having
As every year passes
They mean more than gold
May you win and stay humble
Smile more than grumble
And know when you stumble
You¹re never alone

Never alone
I¹ll be in every beat of your heart
When you face the unknown
Wherever you fly
This isn¹t goodbye
My love will follow you stay with you
Baby you¹re never alone

I have to be honest
As much as I wanted
I’m not gonna promise that cold winds won¹t blow
So when hard times have found you
And your fears surround you
Wrap my love around you
You¹re never alone

PS: For all the people that I love, treasure and cherish always.

I often wondered before you came how I would handle a daughter. Did I want a frilly daughter or a chunky, cheerful child? Did I want her to be an administrator? Or caring? Or both? As it was, I didn’t get any of my dreams, I got a totally unique, totally new, totally puzzling, unpredictable, delightful you.

Sometimes I wish I had the power to make things come right for you. Sometimes I wish I had money enough to give you the things you dream of. Sometimes I wish I had treasures to pass on to you. But I gave what I could - your five bright senses, the world about you. Take what you want, add your own wonder to the sum of all human wonder, and pass on the gift of love.

I’m proud of all your achievements. You’ve worked hard for them. I’m proud of your looks and your intelligence. But I’m most proud of your being just being you. ‘Success’ would be an extra - but you are special to me whatever you do.

No. You are not perfect - and I am sorry that when you were small I sometimes seemed to demand perfection. You are better than perfect. You are a unique piece.

You have to fight your own battles, love. But I’m here in your corner with the bucket and sponge. There are things I cannot stick together, or heal with a hug. Grown up matters beyond my skills. I wish I had some magic that could make such things come right. All I can do is be here. Always.

What do I most wish for you? I wish you love. Romance, yes. But, too, the love of those who lie together in the darkness, talking of times past. The reaching up of children’s arms, the honey-sticky kisses. The butt of a small cat’s head. A dog’s companionable sigh. The reassuring touch, the lighting up of eyes, the sound of a key in the lock. Familiar, loving hands.

I wish you a daughter just like you.

Iris, I will always be there for you, dead or alive. You can always talk to me. You know me well enough to know how I would feel about things. You know me well enough to know what I would say. Next time in the future, if I’m not with you anymore, you can always talk to me still. Don’t worry, I’m always going to be there for you. I promise. Even if I can’t, you know I want to.              - Nisa