Her First born that seems so long ago:  
 
Peering into my mind 
Look at what I see!  
Life-form swimming in sap, and  
nourished by condemnation and shame... 
  
 
A little unnamed baby lay quietly in her 
arms. 
Now what to do with this little stranger 
with none other to name him but me? I'm in 
Desperate need of on the job training!  
Days, weeks, and months were my only teachers.  
 
Son, step into the now, a half century  
Oh my! How time flies! Oftentimes,  
it's when a son becomes a man that a mother 
Realizes the many ways he touches her heart. 
 
As a young man you were filled with so many dreams.  
But more than that, you had hopes and aspirations, and  
Facing them on your own terms, you attained them...son,  
you earned them!  
 
On this special day, I want you to know that,  
you don't have to earn my love. 
My tissues, bones, and blood, I'm 
grateful to you for being a wonderful 
son, husband, father, and brother.  
 
Sorry! No do-over-for the first one…yet  
without my making mistakes,  
you may not have made anything. 
 
Happy Birthday, son!  
February 9,2006
Almedia Knight Oliver
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-mother-s-collection-tissues-bones-and-blood-first/