What I Will Always Tell You (Little Brother)

So I guess it’s coming up now
I’ll really be moving today
The “ifs,” “ands,” and “buts,” about it
Are slowly fading from view
And I love this move, but hate that I’ll be
Leaving you to go so far away

I know I don’t know too much
I’m only eighteen, a young adult,
But if I could give you some advice
Which I thought would be worthwhile
Here is what I would write:

I’d tell you that you’re old now
Whether you’re reading this when
You’re ten, twelve, or sixteen
You’re old enough to learn from your mistakes

But I’d say that you’re young now
Whether you’re reading this when
You’re eleven, thirteen, or seventeen
You’ll have time to learn from your mistakes

I’d say you’re over a decade
And that everything is about to change
You’re going to be confused, hurt, and angry
But you’re also going to be excited, glad, and crazy

I’d say when your first girl comes
Who you like and want to make your own
That you don’t hesitate and wait until it’s too late
But that you tell her and tell her before she’s gone

I’d say you always be there
For that girl you will try to understand
And that if she tries to run away
You hold her and don’t just let go of her hand

But I’d say your heart has to break
You do what you can to mend it without that fury
And when you’ve looked at all the sides
Then you make your peace and move past all the sighs

I’d say if you’ve found you hurt her
You don’t be too proud to say you were wrong
And that if she’s hurt you as well
You don’t be too proud to forgive the wrong

I’d say that friends will come and go
And to enjoy your time with them all you can
To not be afraid to befriend someone new
But to not forget the ones who’ve stood by you

I’d say if someone doesn’t like you
Not to let yourself dwell on that page
And to choose not to give what’s deserved
In return for what you can’t change

I’d say to join whatever you can
And to do so even on your own
To work hard even when you’re tired
But not to be afraid to have friends or to be alone

I’d say when individuals tell you
You can’t do something- it doesn’t matter who-
That you don’t tell them they’re wrong
You prove it to them beyond a doubt instead

I’d say you can do anything you want
Whether that be winning team captain
Or winning your top score in piano competitions
And that you can do it with your friends

I’d say if you want to be in football
To do it, but try out for your team now
If you want to be an astronaut
To do it, but go to the science fair now

I’d say when you don’t want something
That has already come your way
To accept its presence but don’t wait
To change whatever is wrong until it’s too late

I’d say if that “something” is always there
That you see and learn from its lesson
Choose not to make that same mistake later on
And not to dwell on a mistake just because it’s wrong

I’d say you’re going to mess up
But that it’s okay because we all do
You should know you’re not perfect and can’t be
So don’t be with those who make you feel like you should be

I’d say the more mistakes you make
The more you’ll hurt, but the more you’ll learn
And when you try, messing up does burn
But that healing will always help you reach for what you yearn

I’d say you don’t know what’s ahead
But that’s good and to trust that God does
I’d say no matter what happens here
There’s so much more for us so very near

What I will tell you is to call me
When you’re happy, frustrated, or sad
When you’ve gotten first place
Or when you feel all your hard work is about to go waste

I’ll tell you when you’re hurt
To pick up the phone and tell me
I’ll tell you when you need me
I’ll always be there for you
That’s what I’ll always tell you

I’ll tell you here and now
I’m going to miss you so much
I know here and now
You’re going to grow up so much
But know here and now
You are always still my little brother

That is what I will always tell you.

--Written by Sandy Heights
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