I had every reason to close that door, No one would've blamed me if I had. She stood in court and spoke against me, Stood beside her son through all the bad. His sister had her own sharp words, There wasn't much kindness coming through. I could've let the hurt decide What my children got to do. But they were still their family, And that mattered more to me. My children didn't cause the pain— Why should they pay the fee? So I left the door open, But I never pushed them through. I wouldn't make my children carry A battle they didn't choose. I couldn't know what years would bring Or what those bonds might someday mean. I only knew my hurt was mine— It didn't have to come between. So I left the door open. Their father said I kept them from him, But I knew that wasn't true. I'd seen what estrangement from his father Had done and what that kind of loss could do. Whatever happened between their parents, He was still their father, I knew. I wouldn't let what happened between us Make that choice for them too. And someday when they all were grown, I didn't want them blaming me, Wondering what they might have had If I'd just let that relationship be. If those relationships were broken, I wouldn't be the reason why. I'd give them every chance to know them— The choice was theirs, not mine. Then Michigan became his home, And distance changed the way things were. I didn't owe his family access After all that I'd endured . . . . Still, I said, "If you want to see the children, Just call me- they can go." I wouldn't use the miles between us To close a door they still might know. I left the door open, But I never pushed them through. I gave them room to choose their own relationships And time to let them grow too. Nick had seen enough to make him Keep his distance for a while. Josh was often happiest at home, While Lauren's visits brought more tears than smiles. Once I saw it for myself Right there during an exchange. I gave her the choice to stay or leave— She chose to go, and we drove away. An open door is not a shove. That's something I understood. I wouldn't make them stay where they were hurting Just to prove that I was good. But I wouldn't let my wounds decide Who they might someday come to know. I gave them room to choose their relationships— And time to let those relationships grow. And grow they did as years went by, In ways I couldn't have foreseen. They grew to love their grandma, Their aunt, and all the family in between. Each one found their own connection, Each relationship became its own— Not because somebody made them, But because the door was never closed. And Thomas formed the closest bond, One that lasted through the years. That three year old boy I could've kept away Finding someone else for him to hold dear. One day he had a daughter, And the name he chose was hers— The name of the woman who once stood against me Now belongs to a girl I truly treasure. Because I left the door open, But I never pushed them through. I gave my children room to grow And choose what love meant to them too. I couldn't see where love might lead them. I couldn't know what time would do. I only knew their lives were theirs— Their relationships were too. And now when I say "Marjorie," I think of more than years ago. I think about a little girl I love More deeply than she'll ever know. I couldn't see her coming All those years ago. Funny what can grow When you don't close a door.
