You are Loved, You are Loved, You are Loved They All Say

Tonight Carolena, Nils, and I were hanging out in Carolena's room when she suddenly tossed a book my direction. "Read this to us" she demanded.

And that is how I found myself choking back sobs reading "Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You" as my two children peacefully played ignorant to my tears.

As Nils chewed on the puzzle pieces that Carolena will undoubtedly soon discover and cry over and Carolena emptied a doll crib and tried to get in it, I read...

"I wanted you more than you'll ever know so I sent love to follow you wherever you go..."

And I thought of Nils, 10 months old, straining to see past me so that he could watch Carolena ride by on the carousel.

And I thought of Carolena, big enough to be on the carousel.

And for these things I give thanks. I give thanks always.

And then I thought of the love my parents have for me. And I give thanks. Always.

I wanted you more than you ever will know
so I sent love to follow wherever you go.
It’s high as you wish it. It’s quick as an elf.
You’ll never outgrow it…it stretches itself!

So climb any mountain… climb up to the sky!
My love will find you. My love can fly!

Make a big splash! Go out on a limb!
My love will find you. My love can swim!

It never gets lost, never fades, never ends…

if you’re working…or playing… or sitting with friends.

You can dance ’til you’re dizzy… paint ’til you’re blue…

There’s no place, not one, that my love can’t find you.

And if someday you’re lonely, or someday you’re sad,
or you strike out at baseball, or think you’ve been bad…

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair.
That’s me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass…in the smell of the sea…
in the clouds floating by…at the top of a tree…
in the sound crickets make at the end of the day…

“You are loved. You are loved. You are loved,” they all say.

My love is so high, and so wide and so deep, 

it’s always right there, even when you’re asleep.

So hold your head high and don’t be afraid
to march to the front of your own parade.

If you’re still my small babe or you’re all the way grown,
my promise to you is you’re never alone.

You are my angel, my darling, my star…

and my love will find you, wherever you are.

You are loved.

~ Nancy Tillman