will.

Be careful, hold on, slow down, look out

All I have is words, and all he has is my voice in the back of his mind

A visceral need to protect him, but I can only do so much

I can’t be there every hour, every minute

Hovering around like a helicopter

I know that impeding him will be worse

And he has choices to make

Growing faster by the day, consequences become real

The thought of him hurting weighs heavy on my soul

I wonder if I hide it well

Then I realize that he is the one protecting me

Saying “I’ll be careful, Mom, don’t worry.”

Attempting to shield my anxious heart

Both of us knowing the rest is up to him