Walk in my shoes
for an hour, a day, a week.
what will you see?
the pain of my child.......
the pain of my heart......
Don't hide in corners
then judge
Don't give opinions
then run
You should do this, try that,
don't yell, be calm,
ignore, go to bat.
Change medication, school, home??
Feel lost and alone and continue
to roam?
Change what's inside?
Change the system?
Change the ignorance?
Fight for my child and
my sanity?
Would the frustration
tear you apart at the seams?
Would you lose control
What's the answer
what's the key
to be determined by me....
Walk in my shoes,
you'll see, you'll see.....
Not even family knows
the complexity, the issues
the true scope of what I face
The walls of my home know more,
feel more, hear more, listen more.
They breathe in and out with me every day,
they are there through the stress, anger,
and yes, even the peaceful moments.
They are strong, dependable and sturdy,
they listen and don't judge, they absorb my anger
and give me stability.
Don't enter inside my walls
without a clear and open mind,
see the truth, can you be
as dependable as my walls?
Walk in my shoes,
you'll see, you'll see.
What can I do,
what choice do I have
watch my boy grow
into a man
See what will be
What will happen when
he doesn't have me....
to fight his battles
and go to war
to tell everyone
he needs more
only to have it fall to
deaf ears
Where will he be
what will become without me......
They say they will
look into this, into that
see what can be done
what's out there to help
words are just words.......
to appease the parent
to keep him silent
to calm him and get him out the door
all the while
he cries out
my child needs more!!!
If it waits too long
where will he be?
where will I be?
Walk in my shoes
for an hour, day or week,
you will see, you will see.
My eyes are tired
my energy is
growing weak
It's a daily struggle
can it be beat?
When will they listen
when will they care
When it's too late
and we're no longer here?
Do you get it
do you hear what I am saying
do you feel what I feel
or do you think you do
Would you react the way I do
if you walked in my shoes.......
If people are there to criticize
or "give" me advice
or their opinion
then be there
to REALLY give help
don't just say you will
You think it's so easy
you think I handle it wrong
Anyone can walk in my house for
an hour, 3 times a week
but live it, breathe it, want to escape it,
or improve it, or survive it, how would you?
Walk in my shoes, a second, a moment,
a lifetime........
then you'll see, you'll see.......
Author: Janet Sims
Dedicated to my husband, Richard and step-son, Joshua
