I Smile for You

The room is almost dark; I hold back tears
You hold my hand, and I stay right here
Your eyes are tired; you just want to leave
"Daddy, are we going home tomorrow?" you ask me

So I say, "Guess who I saw out there?"
"A toothless dragon who forgot how to scare"
You give a little smile, then slowly close your eyes
I keep that moment close to me all night

I hide every fear and act like I'm fine
I push every worry out of my mind
I can't take your pain away, whatever I do
But I stay strong and help you make it through

I smile for you
While I hold your hand
So you won't see
What this is doing to me
I smile for you
With all this fear I keep inside
I'd give anything to see you get well
And leave all this pain behind

You tell me all the places we'll go one day
The games we'll play, the friends we'll see again
I say, "We will," though I can't tell you when
I look down before my eyes give me away

You push a little car and try to play
No smile this time; you set it down right away
"Daddy, stay till I fall asleep?"
I say, "Even after," barely able to speak

I look at you; your life has just begun
So many firsts, so much still to come
I'd give you every year I've got—every one
Why did this have to happen to my son

I smile for you
While I hold your hand
So you won't see
What this is doing to me
I smile for you
With all this fear I keep inside
I'd give anything to see you get well
And leave all this pain behind

"Sleep well, my sweet boy. Daddy's right here"
Now I can let my tears fall