To Hold On

I

















Inflatable boat handles

Side of the pool

Plastic toy telescope

Small animal magnets (that keep getting lost)

Railings on stairways

My shirt

Or my pants

Or if not those two, always my hand

You hold on to these things because you need time. You need time to find out, to study, to watch what it all does before you let go. I understand because I'm your mom. I see how you love after the fact. I know you hear them when you repeat what they say. You ask all your questions when they're all gone. People make you turn away.

When you are ready you will let go. You will start conversations all by yourself.
You will shake hands and you will embrace.

But for now you hold on until you see what they do.

May they all surprise you in the end.