A letter for you to keep

[0:00] – Intro (Soft Piano or Clean Guitar, Warm Pads Under)

No words for 4–6 seconds — like a parent sitting at the bedside, gathering courage to speak.

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VERSE 1 (Age 3–6) — Soft & Loving

When your hand was small enough to fit inside of mine,

I swore that I would be the one to keep you safe in time.

You’d fall asleep against my chest, breathing slow and light,

I’d stay awake and think of everything I hoped I’d get right.

I tried to chase the monsters out before you ever knew,

But some of them lived in me, and I was scared they’d get to you.

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PRE-CHORUS 1

I promise none of this is your fault,

It’s just the weight I carry in my heart.

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CHORUS 1 (Warm, Tender, “I’m Trying” Motif Intro)

I’m trying… even on the days I feel I’m not enough.

I’m trying… to give you all the things I never got to trust.

I’m trying… to be the one you run to when the world unravels thin.

I’m trying… and I hope you feel how much I love the skin you’re in.

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VERSE 2 (Age 7–11) — Soft but Heavier Emotion

You started asking questions that I didn’t have answers for,

About the way the world can hurt and why some people close their doors.

I stumbled through the stories, tried to soften every blow,

Hid the parts of me I didn’t want you learning yet to know.

If I seemed distracted, love, please know it wasn’t you…

I just didn’t want you seeing me when I was breaking too.

(this is the emotional vocal crack — mark for recording)

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PRE-CHORUS 2

You never asked for perfect — just for me to show up real,

So I’m trying to unlearn the way I hide the things I feel.

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CHORUS 2 (Slightly Fuller Emotion)

I’m trying… even when I’m scared you’ll see the worst of me.

I’m trying… to give you strength and still let you be free.

I’m trying… to build a world where you don’t have to grow up fast.

I’m trying… to love you better than the shadows of my past.

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BRIDGE (Age 12–16) — Softer, More Honest & Vulnerable)

Now you’re getting older, and I see you start to fade

A little when you think of all the choices that I made.

You’re learning I’m not flawless, and I’m scared you’ll change your view,

But I hope you see the best in me still came from loving you.

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FINAL CHORUS (Gentle, Loving, No Vocal Crack Here — Acceptance)

I’m trying… and I know I’ll make mistakes along the way.

I’m trying… to be the kind of safe where you can stay.

[CLEAN – WARM, SMILING THR