Unsung Celebrations

Birthday parties, graduations.
Those special occasions where
divorced parents breathe the same air.
Sharing a moment
for the sake of the kids.
As the Courts say,
in the best interest of the child.

There he stood.
The man I entrusted to father my children.
All groomed in suit and tie.
My memories appear,
like a book captured by a strong wind
with images emerging from every page.
I see countless nights
when worries greeted morning sunrise
and band-aids pulled off tiny knees.
I can hear the sound of tears
tapping on pillow
like raindrops on a tin roof.
Visions  flash,
of school assignments needing
prodding for completion,
spirit talks after defeated game,
of chaos from yet another teenage crisis,
of mending broken toys
and broken hearts.

I wish to share with him this book.
He could then turn a thousand pages
filled with moments that he missed.
The unsung celebrations.
I would have given him a pass
to front row seats.
No suit and tie required.