It took me this long!

I used to think they had it all wrong Too many rules, too little song Thought they didn’t know what living meant I was a kid, too proud, too bent [Chorus] We hold on tight to what we feel Even when it ain’t quite real I drew my lines and made my case Never saw the fear behind their face Now the pictures on the wall feel strong And it took me this long… [Verse 2] Both gone now—just echoes and air Wish I had more time to meet ’em there Not where they stood, but where they tried Behind the weight they had to hide [Chorus] We hold our hurt like it’s a shield Think we know how wounds get healed But I was too young to read the signs Too quick to judge, too slow with time Now I get what they were leaning on And it took me this long… [Bridge] You don’t see the cracks until they fall Don’t hear the truth until the call Ain’t no manual for letting go But there’s grace in finally knowin’ so [Verse 3] I still talk to ’em late at night Say sorry when the room feels right Not for what I didn’t do But for not seeing what they pushed through [Final Chorus] We carry stories, right or wrong But grace don’t care how long it’s gone They gave me all they had to give And now I know just how to live With love that lingers, pure and strong Even if… it took me this long