These Hurt Words of Mine

Truthfully, it’s been close to two decades,
Spanning from birth to now, it does no justice to say it like this,
But I felt like I’ve seen too much,
Felt far too much pain, mourned my own, and others losses time and time again.

Now that its come down to all the past hills, stumbling blocks and a few mountains,
It seems so far away now that I ran careless and unburdened,
Unstained, unbeaten, unbroken, with no regrets and failures,
But I didn't know hope, or peace, or faith...
I didn't know love, and love makes all the difference.

It’s been nineteen years, and I feel far too old,
I carry burdens my grandfather held,
I am still healing from wounds my father had,
I’m the youngest, and sometimes I beg for peace.

I cry myself to sleep sometimes,
Thinking of how far the ones I love are from me,
How long it’s going to be when I don't have to fight anymore,
My tears turn to weeping when I realize this is only the beginning, not the end.

And all I have are these memories, the good with the bad,
Making it bittersweet, like a hurt smile,
So I write to you with these hurt words of mine,
To remember... to never forget to do these things.

Live your life, so that today is good, but tomorrow will be better,
Spend your time with things that will last, because your time won't,
Don't hold onto hate, fear, grief, despair… for too long, just let it go.
And never forget to tell those you love, how much you truly love them.

How much you cherish them,
How much you appreciate them in your life,
How much it means to you when they are there,
Tell them, you love them, that you really love them, everyday, every chance, you can.