You were there

• in the rain
• in the sun
• in the dark
• thru the months
• by the trail

You were there

• the night before
• the morning of
• on the subway
• at the park

You were there

• before the rising of the sun
• as the first red rays of morning hit the city
• as we stepped into the throng
• as starting gun fired

You were there

• at mile 0, smiling and waving from the curb
• at mile 12, where you said you'd be, smiling and waving when you caught sight of me
• at mile 14, where you said you'd be, too, although I didn't see you or hear you as I ran by
• at the end, with the wind blowing off the lake, under the sunny blue skies, when I limped up shivering with tears in my eyes

With my brother, with my son, with my mother, you were there.

And so, when you set out now on your long runs along the trail, and when you set out then on your race along the road, and when you cross the finish line, I will be there.

Because you were, because you are, always there for me.