Worthwhile Task
By Cindy Curtis
A woman joins a special clan
When first her baby holds her hand
She stares into its newborn eyes
And then begins to realize
The import of the task ahead
The lifelong journey in her stead

But presently she's full of grace
She loves his lips, his cherub's face
She'll get caught up in all the things
That being a new mom always brings
She's always known that change would come
When one becomes a brand new mum

Soon enough she'll start to see
That parenting a man-to-be
Takes more than love and adoration
The job demands real obligation
Consistency and tough decisions
A kind of strength hard to envision

It's more than simply saying "No"
Ignoring fits and tantrums - though
That is a start, one sorely needed
By parents whose fight is already conceded
Raising a boy is no job for a wimp
Creating a man from a sweet little imp

For now rest assured that there is still time
Gaze with affection on his little behind
Soon 'twill be red, more often than not
As the real boy emerges from your little tot
But as a woman I've found there is no greater joy
Than helping to grow a man from a boy