To Bear on his 12th birthday

To have watched you change from an idea to reality, to a bump, through baby, toddler, to a child and to a young man. I’m here for you now as changes loom on the horizon, as you enter the hardest time of your life. Between hormones and society you’d be hard pressed not to suffer anxiety and if ever you feel you can’t stand it, hold my hand and we’ll find a way through it. I love you so much, I hope one day you’ll know the joy your existence brings me, even if at times I have difficulty showing it. I want the best for you, to prepare you for a world without me, I want to guide you to a path where I think you will flourish, even if at times it comes of mean. I’m glad to have met you and am excited to see what you can become with what you put your mind to. It’s easy to be cynical, it is hard to enamor yourself to the world around you, but if you try you’ll find a joy in all things, an excitement in a sunrise or the slow change of seasons, an appreciation for silence and the untold beauties imbued in the arts. It’s easy to lay faults and blame, to hate and scorn. Strength is finding forgiveness, patience, tolerance and altruism. You were born into love and I hope you carry it forth into the world. Love yourself first but not the most, share your love with friends, family. Don’t hide it away, let it radiate from you. Don’t suffer fools and sink to there level, forgive them their ignorance and aim to teach, as one day the room may be filled with those smarter than you, and you’d hope they’d offer you the same grace. Understand you are one of 7 billion people, each living their own experience of existence through different perspectives. Be open to their stories, learn from their mistakes and your own. Pay attention to the world around you. Roar Roar roaar roar ROAR roar roar Happy Birthday Bear! Please visit www.bleedpoetry.com (thanks)