Chronic illness was a part of my life
Long before I became ill myself

Regular pharmacy runs
Pill splitters and blister packs
Were a typical Tuesday for my family
That’s true for everyone, right?

I’d ask the kids at school,
“Does your dad inject himself with insulin before meals too?”
“Has your dad had a heart attack yet?”
I thought diabetes and clogged arteries were rites of passage every father went through

As my health worsened, you and Mummy wondered how I got these chronic conditions
That no one else in the family has dealt with anything like this before

Except you were sick too
You managed your health in silence
Took your meds and went to your appointments
No big deal
A strong man doesn’t ask for help
He’s the one others come to when they need help

But your health caught up to you
It was always going to
Your weary heart could only take so much

I can’t run to you for help anymore
But your silent strength taught me that
Needing help doesn’t make you weak
Neither does asking for it