Never Give Up, Never Surrender

It’s not always about doing what we “want” to do

sometimes it’s about doing what we need to do

about pushing ourselves to get out of bed

out of the hole, out of the ‘low’ we are in

“Never Give Up, Never Surrender”

I’ve watched you struggle with the day to day

never giving up, propelling yourself forward

when you barely had the strength to sit up.

I’ve watched you will yourself to stand, knees shaking

forcing your atrophied legs to hold you

—just a few moments longer.

When asked if you would try again,

it wasn’t even a question, you just did it.

What is the measure of a man?

I’ve watched you lose your strength, your balance

your ability to work, all the things

that you thought defined you

to discover that what truly defines you

is that part of you inside that

never gives up, never surrenders.

I’ve watched you come back

from the brink of forever,

to grow stronger every day.

You are so much more than the sum of your parts,

you are the epitome of faith and belief:

belief that God won’t give you more than you can handle;

faith that if He wills it, you will get better.

I may struggle with my own beliefs,

   all but one that is…

I believe in you, who you are,

the example that you set.

I have watched you fall, pick yourself up

brush yourself off, and try again.

You have taught me that if you are willing to try

then nothing can keep you down.

That is all any of us can do,

get up, brush ourselves off

and keep moving forward.

…and never, ever, ever give up.

© Ginny Brannan 2018

Photo from personal collection, 2015