MM #5615
So, at risk of making a complete fool of myself, I thought I'd post a little poem I wrote for my son about a year-and-a-half ago. He was getting into poetry and I was trying to encourage him to write more. He was, actually, pretty good. Anyway--I've always kind of dabbled in it myself and he kind of inspired me to write this one. I tried to copy it off a word document and it didn't copy over right but, here it is...
Those Hugs That Eric Gave
When Eric was a little boy,
He’d crawl across the rug,
And up into his daddy’s arms
Where he’d get a great big hug.
Eric’s daddy loved those hugs
And every one he’d save.
He stored them up inside his heart,
Those hugs that Eric gave.
Each night when Eric went to bed,
His dad would kneel and pray;
He’d thank the Lord for all he had
And this is what he’d say:
“Thank you, God, for Eric,
And giving him to me.”
“Please, help me raise this boy I love
And be the best dad I can be.”
Eric’s dad tried hard to be
The best dad that he could;
He tried to raise the boy he loved
The way he thought God would.
But Eric’s dad was human,
And mistakes he made a few.
But Eric’s daddy loved him,
More than Eric ever knew.
As Eric grew into his teens,
He drifted from his dad.
He tried to find out who he was
And that made his dad mad.
Many fights between the two,
Sprung up along the way.
The distance grew between the two,
Much further every day.
No matter what the two of them
Would ever try to do,
It seemed as though that things got worse
And tensions only grew.
With tempers now not in control
And hurtful words now said,
Years of love and comfort,
Were replaced with pain instead.
It hurt his dad so much to think
That Eric couldn’t see,
The love he had for his young son
Was always there to be.
He may not like his attitude,
His style or his new way,
But Eric’s dad will love him
Forever and a day.
So where does Eric’s dad turn now?
He turns to God above.
He prays that God will show him how
To reach the boy he loves.
He only wants what’s best for him,
That’s what he prays each night.
And prays that God will somehow make
The mess they’re in all right.
He wants that little boy back,
Who’d crawl across the rug
And up into his waiting arms
He always loved those great big hugs
He wants those hugs with all his heart…
Marathon Maniac #957
Aww, Mike....
(sniffling)
That's beautiful....
Life is a headlong rush into the unknown. We can hunker down and hope nothing hits us or we can stand tall, lean into the wind and say, "Bring it on, darlin', and don't be stingy with the jalapenos."
I'm sure those hugs were stored away for a reason. They're still there, you just need to find a way to bring them out again. Best wishes to you, Mike, in your search.
Beautiful poem, Mike. Praying that, with love and time, you and your son will find your way back to one another.
Leslie Living and Running Behind the Redwood Curtain -------------
Trail Runner Nation
Sally McCrae-Choose Strong
Bare Performance
Nice job Mike.
It amazes me how much room for love is in the human heart.
When we had our first child...I loved her so much, and my wife...I thought how could I possibly love another. Then came our Eric...lo and behold I found that there was lots more room...Then our our 3rd, still more room !
I wish I had something to offer you. At some level I know what your going thru and I know how it must break your heart. Hang in there, love will persevere.
Ever since I read your post this morning I've thought about your trip. It's become impossible for me to have a conversation with my oldest daughter with out me raising my voice. Our relationship is adversarial at best...anyway...You got to look at this as an opportunity. I know you are...I'll say a prayer for your intentions.
That is an absolutely wonderful poem and one I'm sure that can resonate with many parents when parent-child relationships become strained. It usually seems to have a way of coming full circle though as the kids go through what they need to, learn their lessons and someday will grow up and mature and mend the broken relationships. I hope and pray that is the outcome for you both also.
Tammy
#artbydmcbride
another reason I should read this stuff while I'm at work........<weepy eyed>
{{Mike and Eric}}
Runners run
Mr. Chip & Mizz Rizzo
Beautiful Mike.
~Mary
"My sunshine doesn't come from the skies,It comes from the love in my dog's eyes."
~unknown
http:www.rawleypointkennel.com
The prodical father waits for the lost son to return home and throws him a feast upon his arrival.
ksrunr All American 10K Feb. '10 Cowtown Half marathon Feb. '10 Boston '10
Words from your heart, Mike. And words that all parents can relate to at one time or another when raising their kids, be it boys or girls. From someone who had experiences similiar to yours raising a son, hang in there. Eric will come to appreciate the discipline and love you've showed him all these years. It just takes time. But don't give up....
Carolyn
Very sweet, Mike. Thanks for sharing - no, of course you won't make a fool of yourself! You're a good guy and I hope you and Eric work things out.
Glad you joined our Master's forum - you add a lot!
I hammered down the trail, passing rocks and trees like they were standing still.
Thanks for sharing, Mike. You've done a fantastic job of showing a parents love for their children. My thoughts continue to be with you and your son.
TomS
...you're a Good Poppa, and that is a GREAT poem..
...................the love comes thru////
..nothing takes the place of persistence.....
New skirt in town
*sniff, sniff*
I'm pretending that my little boy is NEVER going to grow up...
--Robin
NO MO MELANOMA! Help me run 26.2 miles and raise $5000 for the Melanoma Foundation of NE. Visit this page to learn more: http://tinyurl.com/NO-MO-MELANOMA