This poem truly expresses what comes from a mother's heart. When my son was about to turn 18, I decided to start writing poetry again. This was one of the first poems I wrote. It is an intimate detail of how I feel about him.
I gave it to him on his 18th birthday last month. He sobbed uncontrollably as he read it.
Let me try to describe the gift that you have given to me,
Although, I believe that will be a major undertaking.
Since it is quite difficult to describe in ordinary language.
Your arrival 18 years ago was unmistakably
Marked with anxious trepidation.
The journey you undertook
Was not of a scheduled nature,
But more of a conscious decision.
By far, the finest creative gift was you.
For when you emerged into my world,
I became reborn
With my heart so willing to share its wealth.
There you were, a small wonder; a tiny reflection
Of combined traits which would ultimately be recreated
Into the distinctive person you have become.
I never realized that my heart
Was so willing to share so much love
With a stranger so small and needy.
You didn't arrive with instructions
It was strictly learn as you go.
I remember the first time you crawled
Army style on your belly for the longest time.
You walked with support for those many months
But when it came to taking those first steps,
Long after the cake and ice cream that I
Really didn't want you to eat.
It wasn't until that one day, totally unexpected that
You did it all by yourself.
From then on, it seemed to get a little bit easier
Since you had this great disposition
And that smile that went all the way across.
You had a little sister on the way.
And you became that special big brother
That you turned out to be.
Sharing and loving
Was not something that you had to learn.
Even at that young age,
You became the teacher.
Ever so patient, so caring, so you.
To carry on a family trait that you will certainly pass on.
As you grew, you obtained a wonderful gift of laughter
I offered you the tools to learn and trust and to be a confident person.
You showed me that you can be an independent person.
That day you climbed on to the enormous, yellow school bus for the first time
You looked so small, yet so ready to embark upon a new venture.
It rolled down the street
And so did those tears in my eyes
Not because I was sad but because a new chapter in your life was beginning.
You are an intelligent, sensible, affectionate and sympathetic person,
Who always seems to be there for those whose lives you touch.
You have an extraordinary enthusiasm and passion for learning.
You have the ability to communicate your inner most thoughts,
Where so many your age do not.
I am blessed for that.
Now, you will be going off on your own
Making decisions that you may not be able to pass by me
That will affect your life.
You may fall down
But I know that you will always pick yourself up
And begin again.
I never thought that I would look up to someone your age
But that has become evident.
As you look at us side by side; the bond will not be broken.
The stranger that entered my life not so long ago,
Has certainly been transformed into a young man.
That I am proud to call . . .
My son.
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(c) 1999 Joyce Sousa Please respect the rights of the author and Passions in Poetry. If you would like to use this poem on your own web page, please contact the Author. Thank you.
I cried when I read this poem as I have a son who just turned 18 also . Its exactly how I felt to the TEE , THANK YOU
Eleanor
We had five sons, we lost two of them. This poem brings back so many memories! Thanks
Jodi
This is an awsome poem. My son is turning 18 yrs. old tomorrow and I wanted to find a poem for him. As I read this one, it took me back in time as I was a very young mother when I had my son. This poem reminds me exactly of our lives, every word in it does. Thanks for writing such a great poem! I am going to give it to my son on his birthday.
Wendy
i love this poem!1 the tears rolled down my face! i have a son who is 16 and his name is christopher and this touched my heart so much. it was like you read my mind!
Eudelia
Wow! This poem just swelled my eyes to where I could not see the monitor anymore. Joyce, this is a beautiful poem. I, too, have a son. He is only five years old, and he is the apple of my eye just as my eleven year daughter is too. But, I empathize with you when write about how you feel about your son. As mothers, we all know that the little stranger that has come into our lives will one day get up and leave and become the man that he was taught to become. Well done, Joyce!
carla
this touched my heart as a mother. my children are my world and watching them grow is so hard in that mommy way. her words were so perfect.
Michele
it expressed exactly how I feel as a mother of a wonderful son who has added more to my life in 27 years than I ever imagined possible
Sandra
This poem especially touched my heart because I have a son Christopher who had a difficult time growing up. He had a hard time with authority and took the hard road all along his way through life. I did everything I could to protect him and try to get him to believe me that we only wanted the best for him. He is 18 now and finally on the right road. I asked him the other day if thought I gave up on him or didn't try hard enough and he said to me, "No mum I just had to do it my way and you did not fail me. " Thank you
Bubs
This is so like a mother's love for her Son. Joyce has put into words what so many mothers' like me feel for our Sons.
Shelly
Joyce, I was so touched by your poem, as I have a son who sounds very much like yours. He is now a USMC Sgt. and father of a lovely baby girl. I plan on forwarding your poem to him, even though he is a little bit older. Thanks.
Gretchen
This is such a beautiful, beautiful poem! It moved me to tears. I have a son that is 21 now and a daughter that is 16. And I totally relate to this poem with Jeff. A Mother's bond is a different type of a bond with a son than what it is with a daughter. Not stronger, just different. And this poem says it all. Thank you for this beautiful poem. Gretchen Barker
Michelle
This poem means so much to me i feel like it is me and my son who is 16yrs old.
Fahlma Azra
i like it. it touch my inner self
ANGELA
I must say that tears rolled down my face on this one. My son will turn twenty in a few weeks and not a word written could show more love than what was written here. I felt each step of growth and remembered emotions that only a mother knows, Lets hope the receiver of this poem knows how much he is loved, for the rest of us do. Thank you
David
This poem really inspired me. I have been deealing with the tremendous change into college. Within the past few weeks, my mother and I have fallen short of expressing our feelings in the best of ways. The two of us have always been so close and lately we both have had our problems and the work truly made me realize that although life throws curve balls that we wish not to have, we still need to stay close to those we love. Being the only son of my mother, I am inspired to make her proud every day instead of frustrated. I thank you for this amazing piece.
Becky
Just WONDERFUL! The best poem I have ever read from a mother to her son. It touched me heart being a mother of 2 sons. THANKS SO MUCH
Carla
I have a son who is almost 18 and will be graduating this year and it touched my heart, I'm thinking of giving it to him also. Thanks!
Marylou
I can relay. Absolutely beautiful! Perfect!
jodie
well let me start with this much you hit it right on the nail when it comes to your poem and your son it takes me back to me and my son . this poem is wounderful and i want to thank you for writting this and treasuring your son as you do. you must be a mom just like me that treasures each and every day that you have with your children
ANTOYA
VERY BEAUTIFUL FOR I ALSO HAVE A SON MATTHEW CHRISTOPHER WHO IS 14 NOW. A #1 VOTE FROM MOTHER TO OUR FIRST SON. LOVE IT
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