Someday when all the anger settles, And the stories lose their hold, When you finally hear the pieces You were never fully told, Will you look back at what it cost you, At the choices you made back then, And wonder why you lost your father For a fight that wasn't even yours to win? You weren't there in September or November You didn't hear every word. You were handed one person's version And just believed the things you heard. There were other versions of what happened, Other truths you didn't know. What will you think about those choices When someday the whole truth shows? What will you think when you know What the evidence brings to light? When you realize what pulled you from your dad Wasn't what it seemed that night? When you learn the one you blamed Wasn't why Aaron chose to go? Will you wish you'd asked more questions? What will you think when you know? Your brothers had already received so much— The buildings, land, get togethers, just being there, All of those countless hours beside their dad, His labor, love, cheering, and care. Aaron, especially, had a closeness Distance couldn't give to you— So many games and ordinary days, So much of his life your father knew. And you were never being left out. There was more we planned to do. There were things that would come later, Including a generous inheritance for you. More than a quarter-million dollars Might have someday come your way. But decisions have consequences, And choices can alter what things stay. But the saddest part isn't money. Money never was the prize. It's the years you could have had with your Dad That vanished when you chose a side. An inheritance can disappear, Dollars come and go. But I'm sure something else will hurt the most someday When you learn what you didn't take time to know You could have called Dad for his birthdays. You could have stopped in just to talk. You could have shared the little moments That disappear while calendars walk. There could have been more Christmas mornings, More laughter, dinners, ordinary days. Things no check could ever purchase, Things no will could ever replace. And that's the part that will break your heart— Not the money you won't receive. But what you willingly surrendered Before you took time to choose what to believe. Because someone else's anger Never had to become your own. You didn't have to lose your father Over things you didn't know. You weren't simply caught between them, Collateral damage in the fight. You chose to help make it a battle Before you'd heard both sides. You made another's anger yours, And let it close your father's door. You weren't casualties of someone else's battle-- You helped declare the war. Someday you may see it differently. Someday you may not. Someday you may ask yourselves What all this anger cost. And maybe then you'll understand What cannot be restored: Your brothers' fight became your fight, And you paid for someone else's war. They had already had the years. They had already had his time. They had already had the helping hands, The money and the sacrifice. And while you stood beside their anger, Something quietly slipped away— The father you were standing against Was the father you could have saved. What will you think when you know What the other side would have brought to light? When you realize your dad stood by his wife Because he knew Aaron's claims weren't right? When you realize how much she loved you? When you finally see how hard she tried? When something brings you face to face With the bitter truth . . . He lied! Will you wish you'd asked your father? Will you regret the way you let things go? Will you mourn the loss of 'daddy'? What will you think when you finally know? Because the money isn't everything. Not even close. It's not the real cost. You can count an inheritance in dollars. But you can't put a price on what you lost. The phone calls. The birthdays. The visits. The years. The chance to really know your dad While he was still right here. Someday when all the anger settles, Hopefully before it's too late, You'll come face to face with the truth And see what was really at stake. You thought that you were standing with your family. But you were walking from your Dad. And I wonder— What will you think when you know... The whole truth— And realize the price you paid For someone else's war.
