Commissioned by Dr. Glenn C. Hayes and the UW-Whitewater Symphonic Wind Ensemble for a performance at the 2013 New York Wind Band Festival in Carnegie Hall.
 
A richly expressive and lyrical work, approximately 8 minutes in duration. The emotional inspiration for this composition springs from a profound hope that I carry for my students, and for all the ones I love—and actually, for humanity: a hope that all will find within themselves the gifts of love, compassion, sincerity, courage, and strength; that they will use these gifts to overcome fear and pain—and, in so doing, live lives of great beauty, meaning, openness, generosity, and authenticity.
 
The title is taken from words written by A.A. Milne—for me, these words truly capture the love and best hopes that a teacher has for their students, or a parent has for a child, or that any person has for the ones they love most:
 
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”