Hopelessly the ghost of me sinks down into a chair
And underneath the cushion there's a ribbon from her hair
A crumpled up reminder that my daughter's only here
For six weeks every summer Christmas every other year

The role of part-time motherthat's the toughest role I play
But my name's up there in neon lights but Lord what a price I pay
The only thing it cost was giving up our used-to-be's
And my little angel baby by the name of Sherrie

Bravely I step back into my room but the role I play is only cheap veneer
Cause I die inside a little more every day until Christmas or summertime draws near
And then up the stairs comes every my prayer yellin' hey mom it's me I'm home
For six weeks every summer Christmas every other year

I just found a note my baby wrote she left it by the phone
She knew I'd need the extra strength to make it through the night alone
It says I'll always love you mom although I'm only here
For six weeks every summer Christmas every other year