I watched him grow…
From a child into a man.
I helped him where I could…
Still do, when I can.

I was there for his first steps…
Before that, he learned to crawl.
I helped him learn to stand…
and to bounce back up when he would fall.

I gave him my advice…
He ignored it now and then.
I lectured him on values…
Of virtue and of sin.

I believed he could do anything…
If he chose it to be so.
In him, I had no doubt…
Of the places he could go.

And now the time has come…
I must release my grasp.
On the boy I cherish so dearly…
And memories of the past.

He saw me watching him…
As he grew from boy to man.
And those times that I was in need,
He always had my hand.

He watched me stumble,
And after that, he saw me fall.
He taught me to stand again…
and did not judge at all.

He listened to my words…
When I had words to give.
I taught him to be wise…
He taught me how to live.

I believed he could do anything…
And he did make it so.
But now I must teach myself…
How to let him go.