Shelby N. Merchen

I can't wait to hold you in my arms
And kiss your tiny nose.
Cherish every moment,
Knowing just how fast you'll grow.

In the blink of an eye, time will pass by
And you'll be a little girl
Trying to find your place
Without a map in this big world.

Every road is unfamiliar,
Every experience brand new.
So many paths that lie before you,
Not knowing which to choose.

I don't have all the answers,
But there are tips that I can give.
If you want a life with no regrets,
I'll tell you how to live.

Wake up grateful every day,
And know that you are loved.
Be certain that you matter
And will always be enough.

Stay a kid for as long as you can;
Don't try to grow up too fast.
It's such a short stint in the span of your life,
So enjoy it while it lasts.

Always be sincere and honest;
Consistently stick to your word.
Stand up for what is fair and right.
Use your voice and make sure you are heard.

Believe in yourself and what you can do.
Be assertive and show that you're strong.
When you make a mistake, as we all do,
Be the first to admit that you're wrong.

Attitude is everything,
So make yours positive.
When the hard times fall upon you,
It's the best way you can live.

So don't worry about the small things,
Or cry when milk gets spilled.
The hard times aren't as hard
When your glass is halfway filled.

Be aware of your own beauty,
Without being vain.
Your looks will one day fade;
It's what inside you that remains.

Dare to be different, your own unique style.
Live only the story you wrote,
Be true to yourself and don't let your likes
Be based on the popular vote.

Forgive and forget,
Without keeping track.
When you hold on to the past,
The past holds you back.

Be brave, try new things;
It's ok if you fall.
The only way you fail
Is to not try at all.

Aspire to greatness,
Find a passion to pursue.
If you're willing to work,
There's nothing you can't do.

Ignore all the people
Who tell you you can't.
And if you have any questions, just ask.
Love, your Aunt

I want to paint a picture;
it's a scene that you should see.
If you decide to end your life,
what becomes of your family?

First, someone has to find you.
It will be a haunting sight,
Filled with panic and hysteria,
Screaming out in fright.

Maybe they will find you
Before you're actually dead.
Instead of going to the morgue, 
A hospital instead.

To the tiny hope that you'll survive,
They'll cling with all their might
Until a doctor tells them sorrowfully
You won't make it through the night. 

The next few days will be a blur.
A funeral is planned,
People come from out of town,
Neighbors lend a hand.

The house is full of people
To console your mom and dad.
Your little sister sits alone,
Feeling lost, confused, and sad.

But then the house gets quiet,
After everyone has gone,
They'll try to fill the silence,
Find a way to carry on.

They'll do their best to live their life,
The way it was before.
They'll eat their dinners at the table,
But there’s no talking anymore.

Soon your parents will start fighting.
Their marriage begins to wilt.
They'll cast blame upon each other,
Yet be consumed with their own guilt.

Your sister will feel lonely,
As your parents try to cope.
She wants to be a family,
But she's starting to lose hope.

Fast forward two years down the road,
Your sister's skipping class,
Your father looks for comfort
In the bottom of a glass.

Your mom uses medication
To try and ease her pain.
Pops pills by the handful,
She will never be the same.

A house once filled with love and laughter,
Feels cold and dark and sad.
Your sister's full of anger
Because you took her mom and dad.

Soon your dad stops coming home at night,
Your mom leaves her room no more.
Your sister's desperate cries for help
Are unheard behind closed doors.

Then your sister gives up fighting,
Can no longer stand the strife.
If only you were there,
You could probably save her life.

Your family now is shattered,
And it started all with you.
The loss of 1 child crushed them,
And now they have lost 2.

So before deciding to end your life,
I hope that you can see
The tragic ending of your family
Is what will come to be.

You see a family is like a puzzle,
An imperfect piece of art.
If you start removing pieces,
Soon the whole thing falls apart.

But this picture that I've painted,
Full of darkness, death, and dread,
Still has a chance to replaced
With a happy one instead.

There are people who will help you,
You just have to use your voice.
At least give them a chance,
Before you make a deadly choice.