We may not walk together – but I’ll love you anway

You say you care about me,
in a tone that makes me feel indebted.
But all you have given me
are reasons why I won’t succeed.

You say you are the voice of reason
with an authority that makes me bow.
But all the reasons you have given me
are excuses for why you didn’t make it.

You say you trust my judgement
and for a moment I believe it.
But then I realize that it is conditional
on whether or not it aligns with yours.

You are supposed to be my friend.
You are supposed to be my family.
You are supposed to want to help me succeed.

Well, here’s a newsflash: you are not helping me.

So don’t be offended if I cease to listen to you.
It is not because I don’t love you, because I do.
It is not because I don’t respect you, because I do.
It is not because I think I am better than you, for I don’t.

It is just because this is my journey towards my dreams and it remains my responsibility.
It is a journey that is tough enough already – your doubts, your fears, your worries aren’t baggage I need to carry.
So if you want to support me, truly, and be there to listen,
So if you want to share my journey, walk along side when my going gets weak,
So if you want to warn me when there is true danger that I am not seeing,
be my welcome guest.

For anything else, I don’t have time.