When she was just a tiny babe

and she would cry and fret

I took my daughter in my arms

to comfort her, and said,

“Don’t worry baby.  Everything

is going to be all right.”

Then when a thoughtful toddler

found cares that shook her world

she struggled into Daddy’s lap

and told him all her hurt.

“Don’t worry, Daughter.  Everything

is going to be all right.”

And so throughout her growing years

on dark and cloudy days

sometimes unthinking, mainly not,

I often used that phrase.

“Don’t worry, Sumi.  Everything

is going to be all right.”

Today I told my grown-up child

my doctor’s dreaded words

as fears of illness filled my mind.

I marvelled as I heard

“Don’t worry, Daddy.  Everything

is going to be all right.”