There you were so tiny... brand new
In my arms so sweet
Love at first sight... I knew it was true
This feeling can't be beat
So helpless you were as they poked and prodded
Routine shots and things
They asked, "Are you okay mama?"... I only nodded
I felt every one of your stings
Tears in my eyes... a scared smile on my face
This amazing gift God gave me
You looked up at me with a trusting gaze
And I said, "Please don't hurt my baby!"
A toddler you were... exploring the world
Every turn, a new adventure
The light in your eyes as newness unfurled
From mud puddles to puppy dog fur
At times you would go where you are not allowed
Skin your knees and fall on your rump
Grandpa had warned you and then he frowned
He scolded you with a thump
Your quivering lip... tears rolling down your cheek
The look on your face cried, "Help me!"
I hugged you so tight as I took a peek
And said, "Please don't hurt my baby!"
Off to school... you were getting so big
Meeting new teachers and friends
Reading, writing and math... a brand new gig
School bus at the sidewalk's end
You learned new things everyday... you work so hard
You always made me proud
You couldn't wait to show me your grade card
We would smile and laugh out loud
You stood up for your beliefs... the conflicts you endured
And said, "That's how Momma raised me!"
You were too big for my help, so I didn't say a word
But thought... "Please don't hurt my baby!"
You were so active... becoming a man
You were so rowdy and tough
With everything you did, I was your biggest fan
I could never get enough
You played sports... you fought.. you wrestled around
You tore the house apart
You had to show off new muscles you found
You gave it your all... your whole heart
They tackled you hard... you laid there so still
Both of our worlds became hazy
I couldn't hold back my screams... they were so shrill
"OH NO! They hurt my baby!"
You grew up so tall and so handsome, too
The girls had started to notice
Covering your sweet baby face, the facial hair grew
At times... you lost your focus
I watched girls come in and watched many of them leave
You fell in and out of love
When some of them left, it was such a relief
An answer from above
At times you fell hard... your heart was so broken
To leave you, they were crazy
As I watched your sadness... to God my words are spoken
"Girls, please don't hurt my baby!"
My life spiraled out of control and I know
I hurt you to the core
I wasn't the same mother who was helping you grow
The woman you would always adore
Regret, guilt, sorrow and shame
Had taken a hold of my world
As your mother, I was not on top of my game
And many times, we quarreled
I'm working so hard to make things right
I need God's love and yours to save me
Together.. I know we can win this fight
"I'm so sorry I hurt you, my baby!"
You are an amazing young man... of infinite worth
You've been taught what's right and wrong
The Lord has put you on this earth
So you can sing your song
You'll stumble... you'll fall... you'll make big mistakes
But you deserve greatness in life
So, don't ever give up... whatever the stakes
Keep forging through the strife
I've had to let you go... I don't know how
But, you'll always be my baby
You're in control of your own life now
"So, please... PLEASE DON'T HURT MY BABY!"
This poem is dedicated to my amazing sons... Matthew Whittington, Jeffry Whittington, Brandon Whittington, Tyler Whittington, and Weston Carter. I'll love you forever. I'll like you for always. As long as I'm living, my babies you'll be!
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