Empty Nest

So…I’ve been tearing up a lot lately in the past few weeks. I’m facing something that I can’t really believe. My son is graduating from high school tonight. That’s right…my baby is all grown up. My God, where did those years go? I swear it was only yesterday he was a chubby, tow-headed little toddler who only ever wanted to give me hugs and tell me he loved me. Now I’m living with this six foot two, hairy-assed man wondering when in the hell he grew up. I adored the little toddler, but I think I’m even more proud of the young adult he’s become. He’s quiet, thoughtful, respectful, and, while I may be the tiniest bit partial, I also think he’s very handsome.

I’m reminded of one of my favorite poems today, so I thought I’d post it here and dedicate to my son. I love you, Jack.

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream – and not make dreams your master;

If you can think – and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two imposters just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,

And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings – nor lose the common touch;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run -

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And – which is more – you’ll be a Man my son!