To Figure Out Me

Sitting by her hospital bedside,

I pondered hope and fear,

And life and death and so much more.

I learned patience and fortitude,

And drew on the compassion that makes me who I am.

I learned the depth in the value of forgiveness,

And that love runs deeper than any bit of ire.

I learned that some of the things deemed so important,

Don't really mean so much in the long run..

I figured out that letting go of some things,

Is as important as holding tight to others,

And that fighting to win the battle of life,

Are often not as sweet as those won in peace.

As I sat by her bedside and held her hand,

I dug deeply and pondered my life.

For I had time with my thoughts as I sat by her side,

And learned to figure out me.