My Brother Watching Me

From my perch atop the swing set
Or from treetops in the sun,
I’d command rapt attention
As I flipped and dipped and hung.
In my fanciful imaginings,
I was graceful as could be
But the key to my performance
Was my brother watching me.

From the darkness of a bedroom,
Buried ‘neath teddy bear limbs
I would call out my terror.
I would call out to him.
Through the night
And through the closet,
I was sure that he could see,
And as long as he was watching
I was safe and I was free.

Eyes of mischief, Eyes of glee;
My brother watched o’er me;
Drove the nightmares from my room;
Conjured giggles out of gloom;
Taught me,” spread my wings and fly;”
“Close your eyes and hold on tight.”
But for all the things I owe;
He taught me best to let it go.

From my chair along his bedside,
In the wee hours of the night,
We entwined sibling hands,
Drawing deep for one last flight.
“They that wait upon the Lord,
Shall renew their strength and fly.”
One last lesson brother taught,
“Keep your eyes upon the sky.”

Eyes of courage, Eyes at peace;
Brother, are you watching me?
Eyes of husband, Eyes of son,
Eyes of father, Eyes of one
Who sought the Savior thru the pain
To point us each toward Heaven’s gate,
Where he watches for us now
To join him there and take our crowns.

From my rocker on the front porch,
I will tenderly recall
The years of love and laughter
Of our family free-for-all.
But among my fondest memories,
The simplest truth may be:
I owe many of my life’s lessons
to my brother watching me.

Eyes of courage, Eyes at peace;
Brother, are you watching me?
Eyes of husband, Eyes of son,
Eyes of father, Eyes of one
Who sought the Savior thru the pain
To point us each toward Heaven’s gate
Where he watches for us now
To join him there and take our crowns.