Why I Love My Son

WHY I LOVE MY SON It isn't what you've done in life My reason for loving you It is not because you are more handsome Than any guy I ever knew ... But it is all you have not done That has made me a grateful mom And were my heart's secrets on display All would know why I love you son You have never struck a woman Though she shattered your heart You've never broken vows you made Never complained of your heart torn apart You've never displayed disrespect for your Daddy But have held him in high esteem You've not journeyed through Hell on earth Losing your ability to dream You have not refused to believe life would get better That one day sorrow would end Never gave up hope that happiness Would find you just around the next bend You've not permitted laziness to overtake you You've worked diligently all your life You rarely allowed foolishness to make decisions Instead you listened to common sense and avoided strife You've never whipped or rejected your sons Were not absent when they sought your advice You were never a disappointment as a brother But a gift, a joy, a delight to Shawn and You remain one of his greatest treasures From his life on earth to the world beyond If you want to know the heart and soul of a real man Look not on his time spent on the mountain top Look instead on his journey through Hell on earth And ponder on the wars he's won and fought Joan Ellis June 2019