Her First born that seems so long ago: br br Peering into my mind br Look at what I see! br Life-form swimming in sap, and br nourished by condemnation and shame... br br br A little unnamed baby lay quietly in her br arms. br Now what to do with this little stranger br with none other to name him but me? I'm in br Desperate need of on the job training! br Days, weeks, and months were my only teachers. br br Son, step into the now, a half century br Oh my! How time flies! Oftentimes, br it's when a son becomes a man that a mother br Realizes the many ways he touches her heart. br br As a young man you were filled with so many dreams. br But more than that, you had hopes and aspirations, and br Facing them on your own terms, you attained them...son, br you earned them! br br On this special day, I want you to know that, br you don't have to earn my love. br My tissues, bones, and blood, I'm br grateful to you for being a wonderful br son, husband, father, and brother. br br Sorry! No do-over-for the first one…yet br without my making mistakes, br you may not have made anything.