You scream at soccer practice. You expected a game. You refuse to play and walk off the field in a huff. The coaches smile uncomfortably at me. They say things like "When he's ready," or "He can join us when he wants." But the awkwardness persists. They can't see you.
You cry and pout after being punished. You can't understand what you did to deserve this. You feel wronged. You feel like every one's picking on you. Like no one likes you. Everyone laughs at the silliness of it all. They remind you what happened, and they're annoyed when you don't agree. They can't see you.
No one can see the real you. No one says it, but a lot of grown ups think I'm too easy on you. Think you are a bit too wild. But I see you, Freddie.
You are difficult. You have strong opinions. You are stubborn. You march to the beat of your own drum.
But behind those thick blond bangs, I see who you really are. I see who you will be with a heart big enough to love the whole world. A heart that I know will get crushed so many times but will always come back for more. And I'm going to make sure of it, because of all the people who will break your heart, I will never be one of them. I'll always protect it.
In those deep blue eyes I see a will strong enough to support the universe. A will that people will try and beat down. A will that people won't always understand. But I will support it, I'll never question it.
I hear that gruff little boy voice and I hear ideas that could change people. Thoughts bouncing around in that little brain. Stories spilling out of your soul. They won't always believe in you, they won't always listen to you...but I promise, I will.
I'll always hear your side, even if it's a lie. I'll always hug you back, even when you're maddening. I'll always take your side, even when you're wrong.
Because I see you and I love who I see.
