It starts with one word… Just one tiny little word… And it echoes through your whole house forever. That word is… why? First word spoken, barely two Big brown eyes lookin’ up at you “Why is the sky so blue, so high? Why do dogs bark at the moon at night? Why does mommy drink that coffee? Why does daddy leave and where does he go? When’s he comin’ home tonight? Why I gotta pick up toys off the floor? Why I gotta wear these pants? Why’s the neighbor’s hair bright blue? Why, why, why all day Like a record that never quits on you” Why, why, why, why? Little feet runnin’, little hands high World’s brand new through curious eyes Every answer just multiplies Why, why, why, why? Laugh till you cry and you don’t know why Tiny voice, big ol’ sky And a heart that just won’t stop askin’ why “Why can’t we just have cookies? Why can’t we get a snake? What made the goldfish float like that? Is water wet or is it fake? Why we gotta wash our hair? Why brush teeth every night? What made our bodies dirty anyway? Was it mud or gravity’s might?” And how do you explain… water bein’ wet… To someone who still eats crayons? Why, why, why, why? Every answer’s just a try Little brain like fireworks fly Sparklin’ under a summer sky Why, why, why, why? Mama laughs, Daddy sighs But you’d give the world to see That wonder light up their eyes Vacation time, minivan packed “Are we there yet?” thirty times back to back We goin’ to Nana and Papa’s place? Does Nana still wear bows on her face? Will Papa fart at dinner again? Can we have a snack right now? Why’s that dog stickin’ his head out? If he falls, can we keep him somehow? Why’s that guy pickin’ his nose? Where’s that license plate from? I gotta pee—no wait—I gotta pee again! What’s to drink? I’m thirsty, Mom!” Rest stop number six… and we ain’t left the county. Why, why, why, why? Questions racin’ cars fly by Laughter rollin’ down the highway Tears from laughin’ fill your eyes Why, why, why, why? Little life just passin’ by You don’t know it at the time But you’ll miss that battle cry High school comes with deeper sighs “Why can’t I go out tonight? Am I pretty? Am I smart? What if I don’t get it right?” Why homework? Why heartbreak? Can we get another dog? Are we movin’? You and Dad okay? Life gets bigger than a log And somewhere between the snack requests… And the late-night talks… You realize… You don’t have all the answers either. By graduation, worn slap out Every answer’s “Sure” no doubt Rest? What’s rest? That’s long gone But you wouldn’t trade what you’ve leaned on “Where did Nana and Papa go? When can we see ‘em again? You think Papa still farts up there? Can we have a snack while we’re drivin’ then?” Why, why, why, why? From lullabies to goodbye Life’s one long beautiful try Under God’s wide open sky Why, why, why, why? Laugh so hard you start to cry Every question’s love in disguise From a small soul reachin’ high Why, why, why, why? Echoes as the years roll by And one day you’ll look back smilin’ Hear that tiny voice inside Askin’ why… And maybe… That’s how we’re meant to live. Still askin’. Still wonderin’. Still lookin’ up at the sky… And smilin’… Why not?
