In the early days after his son Grey was born, Nick Burton turned to his words to try to process the emotions he was feeling. What resulted has resonated with so many of our families for the raw emotion and honesty in his words. What should've been A dream unfulfilled, but forever imagined So unextrordinary a fantasy, unrealized Should've been What never was Bonding time and cord cutting A wheelchair ride and balloons A clever announcement with rustic font Never was What was Barely saved, Mama shaking Just met, say goodbye for ambulance trip Signing forms and breaking down Papa yells at strangers to get moving Was What was Bedside longing, listening to rounds Critical injuries to everything major Questions answered, not comprehended Despair and grief and just not knowing Was What is Strong baby fights to heal One by one organs get better Told the brain may never Learn not to care about a prognosis 'Cause he's looking at us right now What could be Grey comes home to heal his parents The gift, the dream finally Toward days full of testing potential And discovering what's now supposed to be Could be What should've been never will But always seems better than what is A fantasy cannot live and grow, A dream will not sleep in your arms Living only in the giggles of others' kids What is now is what should be The dream is new and more profound More meaningful and full of hope What could be doesn't matter 'Cause he's looking at us right now
Connect with families, read inspiring stories, and get helpful resources delivered right to your inbox.
Connect with families, read inspiring stories, and get helpful resources delivered right to your inbox.
