They Never Complained

One brisk December evening a baby girl enters the world

It does not take her long to realize

The two most important people in her life

Who never complained

The first carried her for nine months

Enduring morning sickness, fatigue, and sleepless nights

Sacrificing her body for the love of the child within

But she never complained

The second wedded the first

Letters, long waits, and a love that held fast over 8,000 miles

Sealed with a ring, a promise, and now a newborn

But he never complained

Sleeping through the night became a gem

A life revolving around dirty diapers and pureed sweet potatoes

To label it a thankless job would be a euphemism

But they never complained

Soon the child grew tired of crawling alone

They captured her first wobbly footsteps on the video recorder

They steadied her chubby legs and helped her up when she fell

But they never complained

Soon she was pregnant with a baby boy

Though she was weak and strained, the young girl craved attention

They ran themselves ragged

But they never complained

With a new child to replace her

The girl felt resentment and childish envy

She caused trouble, but they were patient

And they never complained

With the girl’s fifth birthday came the promise of kindergarten

They gently reassured her and calmed her nerves

Bought her a big box of crayons, wiped away her tears

And they never complained

The teachers told them their daughter wasn’t eating the school lunches

So they prepared one at home for their picky eater

An additional chore, but they wanted the best for their daughter

But somehow they never complained

They taught her how to ride a bike

Kissed her boo boo and bandaged scraped knees

Bought a Barbie helmet and mended ripped jeans

And they never complained

They read to her from the time she was small

The value of appreciation for literature cannot be translated into money

It was hard work, but she still reads today

And they never complained

Middle school were the awkward years of change

But they consoled her through first pimples and school dances

When she couldn’t love herself, they always loved her

And they never complained

They faithfully attended every single soccer game

Dad was the coach and Mom cheered from the sidelines

They made her the player she is today

But they never complained

From a young age they encouraged her passion for music

They bought her a piano and took her to lessons

She learned how to sing almost as well as her talented mother

And they never once complained

High school she was suddenly so busy

Her GPA cost her sleep and repaid her with stress

They did her favors and encouraged her constantly

And they never complained

Homecoming dresses and makeup

They slowly let their daughter grow up

But even as they released their grip, they never once stopped helping her

And they never complained

To this day they still help me

Mom scrambled me eggs when I was hungry; asked me how my day went

Dad complimented my hair; bought me new running shoes to get back in shape

So thank you for everything you’ve done and will do for me

And I know you’ll never complain