This together lady is falling apart.
And there's not a soul to tell.
Because she must forever be
What everyone expects.

Too many people expecting much
All hold me in high esteem.
I have to climb upon the pedestal
Each and every day.

But the climb gets harder every day
Sometimes I fear I cannot make it.
Weighed down by a deep sadness
That cannot be explained.

A life of sacrifice and pain
Should be the highest calling.
And yet the sadness is so deep.
I fear it to face the day.

I look around and realize
That many suffer more than I
And yet I feel so burdened with
The expectations of others.

I could lose myself in a bottle
Or in bottles and bottles of pills.
So far I have overcome the temptation.
But God I want relief!

The smallest strain of faith exists
And lifts me up each day
To do what I know I have to do
To make it through the day.

Only grace will keep me safe
'Tis a gift I do not deserve
But "grace has brought me safe thus far"
If I just don't lose my nerve.

I have a pain so deep inside
I cannot, dare not express.
I fear my life is forever more
Void of happiness.

And so I walk this vale of tears
With but the smallest Hope
That God has a purpose for my life
By grace I pray I'll cope.

So I dare to place my sadness here
With friends who are so new
I have found in Callahan's
The strength to speak the truth.

-- Sue SUEMO March 2000