One Hand at a Time

Lyrics

[Verse 1] You’re up before the kettle starts to sing Packing apple slices, finding one lost wing A sock beneath the sofa, lunch note in your hand You make a little kingdom out of what you have planned Bus pass, work badge, raincoat on the chair You smooth his collar, tuck a curl behind his ear “Be kind, be brave,” you say beside the door Then carry your own day like you’ve done before [Chorus] You hold the whole day steady, one hand at a time Turn a tight little budget into supper and a smile When the world gets heavy, you don’t let him see you fold You make a home from patience, make a heart feel bold And when he says, “I love you,” in that sleepy voice of his Every mile you carried finds its meaning in a kiss [Verse 2] At the laundromat, homework spread across your knees You sound out every answer while the dryers turn and breathe A late shift, borrowed ride, the rent due Friday night Still you save his paper rocket from the rain outside You laugh at his big story, give the small truth room Put a candle in a muffin, make a birthday bloom No cape, no grand announcement, no applause at the end Just a steady, open doorway he can always walk in [Chorus] You hold the whole day steady, one hand at a time Turn a tight little budget into supper and a smile When the world gets heavy, you don’t let him see you fold You make a home from patience, make a heart feel bold And when he says, “I love you,” in that sleepy voice of his Every mile you carried finds its meaning in a kiss [Bridge] One day he’ll take the lessons tucked inside your little notes How to mend a button, how to keep a promise close He’ll know love is showing up when the easy answer’s gone You’ve been teaching him that truth each ordinary dawn [Final Chorus] You hold the whole day steady, one hand at a time Turn a tight little budget into supper and a smile When the world gets heavy, you still stand up and unfold You make a home from patience, make a heart feel bold And when he says, “I love you,” in that sleepy voice of his Every mile you carried finds its meaning in a kiss [Outro] One hand at a time You make the whole day kind