poem

 A Kind of AdultWe spend an extraordinary amount of effortTrying to become the kind of adult we thinkWe needed as a kid but never really hadTaking note of all the waysYou felt let downBy old mom and dad Meanwhile your own kid is watching, plotting,Formulating ways of evolving into a future selfWho is better in all the ways you are notFull of all the things you lackYou ’re better off burning your notesNot trying so hardLetting go by staying putWhen your hear your boy talkingStop what you ’re doing,Look him in the eye and listen.Recognize when he wants you To just sayI don't knowEven when you have the answerAnd when your daughter seems sadSitting on the edge of her bedAnd you ask what ’s wrong and she saysnothingMaybe instead of explaining it allJust show her your latest dad danceA celebration of sorrowThat ends with a move you call Love doesn ’t always shineIt ’s a lot simpler than we think.Just being there.  Without all the heavy posturingThe long gone boy you once wereAppreciates all your earnest machinationsBut it ’s too late for himHe forgives youHe knows it ’s not your faultAnd so when your own kidsSally forth into the arc of their livesDon't be surprised when they startTo become people you ’d never recognize I'm not you! they ’ll sayThinking the gaps and holes you leftWere tasks for them to fillYou can ’t take it personallyEven a perfect day fades to blackYour only job is to be the face they seeWhenever they feel the need...

Source: Buckeye Surgeon - May 14, 2022 Category: Surgery Authors: Jeffrey Parks MD FACS Source Type: blogs