[for E, with love]

This is the moment that all of faith
and love has
been preparing you for

and we stand here with you
at the edge of the life you would
never choose to live
looking into its unknown darkness
and wondering how to step forward

in awe of the task
and of you.

and we take hold of your hand
and your doubts and questions and pain and fear

we promise to hold them carefully
and gently
alongside our love

and together we will hold faith
not that everything will be alright
in this next moment
but that you are going to survive
whatever it is
that will be.