Last night I took another step,
On the road to recovery,
I stayed alone in a store for twenty minutes,
No car outside...no one next to me.
I'll tell you how this came to be,
Why I was there alone,
'Twas my daughter's idea, she said, "Give it a try,"
I immediately started to groan.
"I can't do that, Debby, it's been thirteen years,
You know I need someone beside me!"
So she said, "O.K. Mom," and we carried on,
But the thought had been planted inside me.
Could I do this...stay all alone,
With neither car parked by the door?
And no one around when I looked up?
Oh my, I wasn't sure.
I turned to my daughter and before I knew it,
I was telling her to go,
And just like that she was out of sight,
And I could feel my anxiety grow.
I looked around me, saw all the people,
And I thought, "Everything looks so hazy,"
To have placed myself in a situation like this,
I surely had to be crazy.
I thought for certain my legs would give way,
As I wandered here and there
Then I called to mind the things I'd learned,
And that took away some fear.
I picked up Easter eggs and yarn,
While sneaking peeks outside,
A case of Coke...a jar of jam,
Yet still there was no ride.
I wondered if she had run out of gas,
Or maybe she had a flat,
Oh, come on girl, now don't do this,
You ought to know better than that!
The piped-in music played a tune,
And I began to sing along...
With Waylon and Willie, and as I sang,
My confidence felt quite strong.
I got checked out, then said the words,
That filled me with such pride,
"Could I please lay my purchases here?
For I'm waiting for my ride."
And then...she was there beside me,
She'd entered while my back was turned,
I felt relief...but also pride,
For while alone there I had learned.
That you just have to go and face things,
You just can't run and hide,
And some day soon, I'll again say those words,
"I'M WAITING FOR MY RIDE!"
by Eileen Power
©copyright1988
