If You've Ever

If you’ve ever sung in a much-needed shower,

Belted show tunes in the car with all your power,

Or hummed as you rocked in the late night hour,

You are a singer.

If you’ve ever captured a snaggle-toothed smile,

A big moment on stage from an auditorium aisle,

Or a backpack-wearing porch portrait with style,

You are a photographer. 

If you’ve ever hiked hand-in-hand down a trail,

Or marveled at laundry marked by nature’s detail,

Entered a teenage bedroom that smelled a bit stale,

You are an explorer.

If you’ve ever wiped tears and kissed a boo-boo,

Plucked a tick, a splinter, used lice shampoo, 

Or performed the duties of a hazmat crew,

You are a nurse.

If you’ve ever pushed your body to the brink,

Or held a baby while washing dishes in a sink,

Ran after a toddler who’s faster than you think,

You are an athlete.

If you’ve ever packed a lunch box note to brighten a day,

Penned a letter sent to a summer camp far away,

Or proofed a term paper or college essay,

You are a writer.

If you’ve ever arranged a vase of handpicked stems in bloom,

Used a brush, bows, and some patience to groom,

Or decorated cookies or painted a room,

You are an artist.

If you’ve ever asked “Why?” or “How?”

Or been asked “But why?" or “But how?”

Or thought so hard you wrinkled your brow,

You are a philosopher.

If you’ve ever divvied up chores on a chart, 

Filled out paperwork or filled up a grocery cart,

Or mediated disputes to stop fights before they start,

You are a manager.

If you’ve ever helped with homework at night,

Or discussed what’s wrong and what’s right,

Passed down life skills to prepare for flight,

You are a teacher.

If you’ve ever been in the trenches with tough weeds,

Or labored with monotonous messy deeds,

Or enjoyed the fruits of your planted seeds,

You are a gardener.

If you’ve ever felt tired, defeated, or weak,

Or carried the needless weight of your own critique,

Messed up and forgiveness you had to seek,

You are a human.

If you’ve ever loved with the fierceness of a bear,

Nurtured those who’ve been placed in your care,

Learned it takes a village and a whole lot of prayer,

You are a mother.

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