I never asked you to forget her, Never asked you not to grieve, Never tried to take the memories That were yours alone to keep. She was your mother, always would be, Nothing ever made that wrong. I just hoped someday you'd look my way— I've been here all along. I learned the birthdays, cherished the stories, Made a place for what came first. Kept her picture with the family, Never tried to take her worth. There was room enough to love her; I believed that all along. I just thought there might be room for me. I've been here all along. I've been here all along, Through the ordinary days, Showing up and loving quietly In a thousand little ways. I never needed "Mother," Never needed to belong In the place that always would be hers. I just wanted a place of my own. Not instead of her. Not because she's gone. Just a little place beside you. I've been here all along. I watched the games and held the babies, Acknowldged birthdays, shared the miles, Sat around the kitchen tables, Celebrated every child. Cheered graduations and missions, All the lives that carried on. Seventeen years of little moments— I've been here all along. And when you spoke about your mother, I could smile and listen too. I knew losing her had shaped you; I knew she was part of you. I didn't need her light diminished For my little light to shine. There was never any battle Between her memory and mine. I've been here all along, Through the ordinary days, Showing up and loving quietly In a thousand little ways. I never needed "Mother," Never needed to belong In the place that always would be hers. I just wanted a place of my own. Not instead of her. Not because she's gone. Just a little place beside you. I've been here all along. Maybe that's the part that hurts me— Not that you remembered her. Not the pictures, not the stories, Not the love she still deserved. It was standing right beside you And so rarely being seen. It was loving without asking You to choose between her memory and me. You never had to choose. I never wanted you to. Maybe love that's always present Gets mistaken for the air— Something constant, something certain, Something simply always there. Until one day it's no longer Standing quietly where it belonged, And somebody finally realizes— She'd been here all along. I've been here all along. I was never asking you To forget the one who gave you life Or love her less than you do. I only wanted you to notice There was someone loving you Who chose to share the life you had, Not take her place from you. There was room to remember yesterday And love what's here today. There was room for both our stories. There was always room that way. So keep her pictures. Tell her stories. Speak her name with love. I hope you do. I never wanted less for her. I just wanted A little love For me too. I've been here all along.
