A Parent

When you become a parent You will then understand, Why your parents raised their voices And sometimes raised their hand. They told you to put on your shoes Whenever you went out to play, They made sure that you went to church And taught you why you should always pray. You never truly did without Though you complained and cried with woe, But, since you now are a parent You now understand the many times your parents said, "No". Your shirt was to tight, or your was pants were to low Or your skirt it was way to short, You now understand the thoughts behind those statements And remember, a parents love will never abort. You remember the times that you stormed off to your room When a party your parents did deny, And when they gave you a very strict curfew You will now remember it was your parents, who did cry. You'll remember the dinners that you had enjoyed But, now they all have passed, How you ate and ate until you couldn't eat no more And now you know why your parents always ate last. You can recall your parents strong and stern voices And the many times their shoulders they did shrug, And how you said or thought that you really hated them Still your parents, always wanted one more hug. Now when you set down with your child In your mind, your past will finally become apparent, You now understand why the way you were raised As you now are a parent. Randy L. McClave