For Heather
On a windswept railway station, we said goodbye
Our daughter, sixteen, still a kid at heart
Off to join her new family
We held each other close, said our last farewells.
Our tears flowed, soaked away in the faceless grey platform
Whilst hers travelled with her on the train
We stood empty, with her memory for company.
Eight weeks, only letters, telephone calls and tears.
We're not forgotten, merely far away,
Her new family have her now, to mould and shape,
When will we hold her again, see the girl that went away?
Catch her impish smile,
Fill the void, left gaping in our hearts
Dry the tears we've cried for her successes and her failures.
Today. At last we make the trip,
To see her reach her peak, her own personal Everest,
Her new family welcomes us to celebrate at her success,
Brothers, sisters, together marching as one
Their heads held high, they take the salute
We watch, chests puffed up with pride
Tear stained hankies, shared, damp with our emotion
She comes to meet us; unsure, yet proud, confident yet quiet
Not the brash sixteen year old anymore, no kid this, a woman now
A sailor
Moulded by her new mother and father,
Bonded with her new sisters and brothers.
Yet still ours, to love, to care for
A place in the jigsaw of our lives, forever hers.
Ian Woolger....