I remember your first day of school, when I thought you would never come back, but you did.
I remember your first Boy Scout overnight outing, and I thought you would be eaten by bears and never come back, but you did.
I remember when I was afraid of the dark in my room, thinking you wouldn't let me sleep with you, but you did.
I remember when I ran from you, when you had a knife and said you didn't love us, but you did.
I remember when you left for Tennessee to Bible college, thinking you would never come back, but you did.
I remember when you said you did not protect me enough in school, but you did.
I remember when you came back from Tennessee, thinking you couldn't have changed, but you did.
I remember when they told me you were sick, thinking you wouldn't have to go to the hospital, but you did.
I remember you got well, thinking you wouldn't have to go back to the hospital, but you did.
I remember the last voicemail you left, thinking you would never say you were proud of me, but you did.
I remember telling you, “I love you,” thinking you wouldn't hear me, but you did.
I remember hoping and praying that you would never leave this world, but you did.
I don't remember telling you enough how much you meant to me, but…you…did.