To My Daughter - On This, Your Graduation

There was a stillness in this room.
Long ago, when you were new.
Lights low.
The hum of a florescent somewhere out there.
But not in here with you. 

I held you.
Close. And felt your breath.
It was small like you.  And sweet.
Like you. 

I held the promise of your lifetime.
And I wished the promise of fulfillment.
And successes.
And challenges. 

Of learning.
And growing.
And struggling.
And accomplishing. 

Of laughing.
And crying.
And singing.
And living. 

Of Joy.
And happiness.
And peacefulness.
And love. 

You will have all these things. 
For this I knew was true.

And I whispered into you.
Just a small word.
More just a sound really
More just my breath really. 

I whispered into you my promise. 

Of support.
Of guidance.
Of wisdom.
Of truth. 

Of humor.
Of knowledge.
Of chances.
Of trust. 

Of opportunities.
Of adventures.
Of enlightenment.
Of freedom. 

Of Joy.
And happiness.
And peacefulness.
And love. 

For I would give you all these things.
This I promised you.
Long ago, when you were new. 

And now there is, again, a stillness.
And a hum this time of footlights.
Stage lights. Bright lights.
The light in your eyes.
And mine. 

And I see that you are new.
Again. But separate now.
I hold you.
Close. For just a time.
And feel your heart.
It is strong like you. And brave.
Like you. 

And you now hold the promise of your lifetime.
And can see the promise of fulfillment.
And successes.
And challenges. 

Of learning.
And growing.
And struggling.
And accomplishing. 

Of laughing.
And crying.
And singing.
And living. 

Of Joy.
And happiness.
And peacefulness.
And love. 

You will have all these things. 
For this you know is true.

And I whisper into you.
Just a small word.
More just a sound really.
More just my breath really. 

I whisper into you my blessing.