Days That I Have Known

Tatertot

The days of life are winding down

as I but fear what lies ahead

My son has reached that time in life

that always filled my mind with dread

There's just a year until that day

when I just hope that I may grow

To be the man, I pray I can

as the time comes to let him go

This week we go on vacation

and as we share these times of  joy

Within the bonds of family

he'll spend his last days as a boy

I've done what I set out to do

back so many a year ago

 Instilling in him foundations

of all the things he needs to know

Oh please just let me be gracious

and smile when the day draws near

Then wish him well, as time will tell

if I can overcome my fear

For then my son will be a man

with strength to face the new found dawn

In knowledge that he's not alone

as my heart breaks for all that's gone

Author's Note

I knew this this day would come. It is so near I can taste it. I will walk out to see him off with a smile upon my face. Give him the speech I like to call "what it means to be a man". Tell him to trust his instincts. Never take something for nothing. Never take unfair advantage of another nor let them take unfair advantage of him. Help those who need it and respect all the women in his life. "Son the value of a man lies not in what he owns, but in what he gives to others". Then I'll wave as he sets off, as my heart simply breaks.

Reviews

[Veronica Chandler]

Warmth and tenderness wash over me in waves as I read this moving piece penned straight from your heart. The values you ask of your son as he sets sail on the winds of life are embedded in his DNA, for he is your son and has learned by watching you embody those values. It will take practice, like riding a bike for the first time takes practice and little bit of blood, but his foundation is strong. May his compass always guide him to a true north, so that he always knows where home is, the place he can always return to, and be fully embraced. Yes, your heart will break, it will never be the same again, but the wonders of watching him live out his life are well worth the pain.

[Tate Morgan]

I thank you very much I am trying my best

[Kristallo]

This is sweet, and so beautiful. I'm sure you have been a wonderful father, and always a treasured part of your son's life. You have such a tender, sensitive soul and it shines brilliantly in this one. Wonderful write, Tate. Thank you for sharing it with us. :)

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I am trying to come to terms with my own infirmaries such as they are. I will have to steel myself to the way things need t0 be

[Kristallo]

Meditation will allow for peace and clarity to any situation... you'll be alright. :)

[Baby Ricochet]

Beautiful poem Tate. It's gotta be hard letting them go.

[Tate Morgan]

I kinda wish you had a child. It is hard to understand till its your own. But it is one of the hardest things to do

[Stella Armour]

as David has said i also had a baby on my knee for 40 years the eldest being 21 years older than the youngest.Give him his wings Tate and let him fly free.. they are only ours for such a short time to love and nurture...it's your time now with Becky and it won't be long before he is bringing new fledglings back home for you to love all over again....be proud ! i really enjoyed all the gorgeous pictures of him growing up too.

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you For this review i have been working all day. Yeah I look at the pictures and feel like I am right there again.

[Stella Armour]

you have given him a good start in life with good values that will help him him to be a wonderful man.. no lad could ask for more than that from his father...

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I have done all I hoped to . and given him the gift of peace of mind when he walks out into the world.

[Stella Armour]

he will do just fine Tate and remember he will make mistakes..you can't protect him from that.. he has to make his own mistakes so he can learn from them, your role will be to support him at those times..

[Tate Morgan]

It isnt a fear of him making mistakes he and i are very close I will miss him terribly

[Stella Armour]

i brought my last one upon my own Tate so he and i were very close i am on my own now and he doesn't live near..it hurts like mad but i never tell him...

[Tate Morgan]

Thats how it will be for me too

[Stella Armour]

you have Becky ...she will look after you

[Marie]

The day our children become adults is always traumatic. If we're lucy, they become our friends.

[Tate Morgan]

I am preparing for it best I can I will do what needs done And live with what I have to .

[Ravyne Hawke]

Yes, unfortunately there comes a time when you have to let him go.. is he going off to college? I know you have a lot of anxiety and fear.. for him and for yourself. You will know if you've done a great job in no time as he has to make decisions and choices on his own.. how much will he value his fathers advice. This is a beautifully written poem and I am glad the meditation helped. Blessings to you, Tate.

[Tate Morgan]

I will let him go and watch as he drives away .Then hope I see him soon again. Thank you for settling my mind

[Ravyne Hawke]

I have a feeling he will never roam to far from his father, unless he has no choice. Just be thankful that you did so well with him that you can let him go.

[Tate Morgan]

Oh I believe so he swears he wont go far from me even to this day

[Ravyne Hawke]

That's a great relationship then

[Johanna]

Wow this poem was beautiful!! and I think you will be brave enough. No matter where in the world he goes he will always be your son, and this poem is true and full of emotion and beautifully written. You should give it to him :)

[Tate Morgan]

Thank you I just got home. Thanks for this beautiful review ,.

[David Lewis Paget]

So you're about to experience the empty nest syndrome, Tate. Not a pleasant time, as you say. A poem from the heart, as usual. You tend to feel things more intensely than most. When my youngest left, it wasn't as if I was glad to see her go, but it had been 40 years for me without a break. I decided it was about time I got myself a bit of 'me' time. Lately, I've been mulling over the old times, when they were young, and we used to do things together. Yes, I do miss those days.

[Tate Morgan]

Thankls Dave just got home. Yeah I suppose anything in excess can get to be too much.I only have Tate and so feel it most acutely

[SyberRose]

So beautiful Tate...live is full of changes and one day your family will become bigger with a daughter-in-law
and more grandchildren that look just like him...I love the video too...nicely done Tate...Enjoyed...Rose:)

[Tate Morgan]

I know it is all part of the master plan .I hope I can grow up too lol.
Thank you

[Dr. Wood ?]

Well tate..I am sure that you have done the best job possible and if you have..you have nothing to fear

[Tate Morgan]

Sadly it isnt him I worry about it is me lol

[Dr. Wood ?]

don't worry matey...he'll be around enough to take care of you ha ha........You will be fine

[Tate Morgan]

i've never been so attached to someone.I wonder if i will be able to get over not hearing him every day

[Dr. Wood ?]

take pride in who you have created my friend and be strong

[Keith]

Beautifully told. He is about to move into a new phase. As mine progressed through this stage they tended to become bit distant for a while as they found their own space. But as they settled and became parents we have more common ground than ever. I have 6 kids, now they seem more like good mates.

[Tate Morgan]

I hope Tater gets ahead off to a good start.