My older son, Craig, was born on May 2, 1972. The first time I
saw his face I just fell in love. He was a beautiful baby with a
wonderful disposition. He slept all the time. In fact, his
babysitters never even saw him....he was always sleeping!!! He
was a wonderful Mother's Day present!!
My younger son, Mike, was born on August 26, 1974. He was named
after my dad who had died two years earlier. That was very
special for me. Since Mike was a baby he has been "his own
person." And I love him and respect him for that.
Fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, so the saying goes. My
sons are two of the most important people in my life. I would do
anything for them - and they know it. I have come across some
wonderful poetry about sons that I'd like to share. I also would like to share some thoughts about my boys.
Some of the following poems I found in a beautiful book called,
"My Son, My Love" by Susan Polis Schutz. Although, the poems say
"son" they are meant for both of my boys.
Here is a picture of my "little"
boys. .
"It seems like just
This one came from a Blue Mountain Arts Greeting Card:
"What It's Been Like Raising A
Son Like You"
"To be completely honest, raising a son can sometimes be
difficult for a mother. There are the obvious differences
between the two, as well as other things that many women just
can't understand from the male point of view...
There are times when a boy needs to test his strength, while his
mother worries that he will get hurt. There are times when male
pride prevents a son from discussing things with his mother, even
when she thinks it will make him feel better. There are times
when a mother is simply "wrong" because she "doesn't
understand."
Somehow, Son, we have made it through these times. Somewhere
along the way, we have gained respect for each other's opinions,
even if we didn't always understand them. There is no one else I
would rather have shared all of our experiences with, both good
and bad."
And from me - I just want to tell you how
very proud I am of
the adults that you have become, how much I believe in both of
you, and how much I love you.
Craig and Mike at Craig's high school
grad party
I've always told my sons that it's okay for boys to cry - to show
their emotions.
Another poem from Susan Polis Schutz
"Men are told by society that My son
"Sometimes I talk to you I want you to know
Two of the major highlights of their lives
for me were their Bar Mitzvahs. Here are my "boys" and I at Craig's Bar Mitzvah and at Mike's Bar Mitzvah. Talk about a proud
mom. They both did so great....and they certainly became men on
these two very special days. And in March of 1998 Craig
married Sandy....a very special girl for my very special guy -
see their picture on my homepage but here are the "boys" and I at
the wedding
This is how I described Craig's wedding to my friends in the newsgroups the week before his wedding:
THE BIG DAY
"It was almost 26 years ago that a little boy with a beautiful face was born. I fell in love. The song, "The First time Ever I Saw Your Face," by Roberta Flack was popular at the time. This is the song that has run through my mind with each "milestone" in my son's life. During his graduation from elementary school, high school, college, graduate school, I thought of that song and the feelings that I had when I first saw that face. Through the years that little boy has grown into a fine young man - not only with a beautiful face but with a beautiful heart and soul. I am so proud of the successful adult he has become. This coming Saturday night my son will be married. We will dance to "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and I will be overcome with tears of joy. I wish him the happiness in his life that he has brought me." A picture of us during "The Dance."
"You are growing up
Craig is a Civil Engineer. Sandy, his wife,is a lawyer. Mike and Mary Ellen live in Atlanta, Georgia. Mike is an Asst. Controller for a large payroll firm. Mary Ellen is an archaelogist. I am so proud of all of them.
"My son
a little while
ago
you raised your tiny
head
and smiled at me
for the first time
and I smiled
back with tears
I loved you so much then
Though you are
older now
living your dreams
pursuing your own goals
I
still look at your beautiful smile
to know that things are all
right with you
and I am so very proud of you
and I love you
even more now"
they always
have to be strong
and put on a tough exterior
to block out
all sensitive "unmanly" feelings
It is drilled into men from
birth
that they are leaders
that they must achieve
that
they must succeed in a career
Men are judged their whole
lives
by the power that they have
and how much money they
earn
What a terrible burden this must be
the role
society has imposed
on men and women is very damaging
All
people should be free to
think and do whatever they
want
and act the way they feel at all times
regardless of
whether they are men or women
You should not feel pressure
created by society
You should cry when you want to
You
should laugh when you want to
You must be ther person that you
are
Other people should never tell you what to do"
and I am not really sure
what you
are thinking
It is so important to let your feelings be
known.
Men were always taught
to hide their feelings and
emotions
I want you to know that this not only is wrong
it
is harmful
Talk to someone
Write your feelings
down
Create something based on your feelings
but do not
keep them inside
Never be afraid to
be honest with
people
And certainly never be afraid to
be honest with
yourself
You are such an
interesting,
sensitive
intelligent person
who has so much to
share
that wherever you go
or
whatever you think
you can always depend on me
for complete
and absolute
understanding
support
and love
forever."
so fast
I look at you with tears of happiness
sprinkled with some
tears of sadness
Sadness--
because you are no longer
my little
baby
bobbing your cute
head up and down
But deep
happiness--
because of the
new person you
are
becoming
What an incredible feeling
to see my beautiful
little boy
growing up to be a
beautiful man."
when you were a child
you were fun to play with
But now that you are older
I can do so many more
things with you
We can talk about world events
We can discuss life in general
We can make plans
We can read the same books
We can see the same movies
We can play sports against each other
Since we like the same things (but not the same teams)
we can enjoy so much together
I never thought that I could
love you more
than I did when you were little
But now that you are older
I have found
that I love you even more"
