thanks

The little girl looked up, Smiled, said thanks and the man was puzzled

Confused

Thanks for what, he said, and she smiled

Again

And said thanks for horseyrides, for bike rides and big hugs for night time kisses on cheeks and foreheads and strong arms that carry me up the stairs

Thanks, she smiled the word

For going to work every day and coming home every night for getting on big jet planes and phone calls

for picking up the pieces of your heart every time you go away just to go away and come back and do it again

And again

Thanks, she said

For me

He looked down and shrugged, the weight of petty life things falling off his shoulders and floating away on the soft breeze of her words

Don’t thank me

Thank you

For that small voice in the dark

thanks

and for horseyrides and big hugs for night time kisses on cheeks and foreheads and the privilege to carry you up those stairs

For a reason to work every day and come home every night

And for big jet planes that carry me home

again

Thanks.

For the smile that puts all those tiny pieces back again