Now I'm the One

She used to braid my hair before the school bell rang
Knew every lullaby and every song she sang
Now I'm the one who combs the silver from her crown
And helps her find the words when memory lets her down
He built the porch we sat on every summer night
Taught me how to drive and how to do things right
Now I'm the one who drives him to the doctor's door
And holds his hand the way he held mine years before

The roles have gently shifted
Like tides that always turn
And love is love is love is love
No matter which way flows the current

Now I'm the one who stays up late
Now I'm the one who sits and waits
Now I'm the one with worry on my brow
Funny how the child becomes the caregiver now
I'd do it all again without a second thought
This is what love looks like — this is what they taught
Now I'm the one — and I'm honored, I'm tired, I'm proud
Now I'm the one

Some days she laughs, and she's the one I've always known
Some days he's far away though we are not alone
I grieve the woman that she's slowly stepping from
I grieve the father and the friend he's slowly become
And nobody tells you how to hold two things at once
To love someone so fully while you mourn what's gone
To show up strong each morning with a tender open heart
And drive home crying, fall apart — then show up from the start

There's no map for this middle place
Between the grief and grace
But love is love is love is love
And I would not trade a single day

Now I'm the one who stays up late
Now I'm the one who sits and waits
Now I'm the one with worry on my brow
Funny how the child becomes the caregiver now
I'd do it all again without a second thought
This is what love looks like — this is what they taught
Now I'm the one — and I'm honored, I'm tired, I'm proud
Now I'm the one

But who takes care of the caregiver
When the day is done, and the door is closed
Who holds the one who's always holding
Who sees her when nobody knows
She needs a moment, just to breathe
To lay the weight down, find relief
To be reminded she is more
Than everything she's doing for
She is not just what she gives
She is a woman, and she lives
She matters too — she matters too
In all the ways she's carrying you

Now I'm the one who stays up late
Now I'm the one who sits and waits
But I'm also one who needs to rest
Needs to be held, needs to be blessed
I'd do it all again — I'd choose this road
But I'm learning I don't have to carry it alone
Now I'm the one — honored, tired, and proud
Now I'm the one
And I matter too — right now
I matter too

For every woman who shows up.
Day after day.
Who loves so quietly, so completely.
This song is for you.
You are seen.