He came into the world determined and strong, literally fighting for every breath the first month of his life. He has always seemed to make the most of every situation, rising to the occasion. His sensitivity, compassion, wit, intelligence, creativity, and humor are just some of his great qualities. Love that boy!
Definitely not the scrap-booking type, I surprised myself and pulled off a collection of personal words/notes from friends and family along with quotes and scriptures and compiled them into a handmade patriotic-themed scrapbook. OK, I admit daughter helped a
For the first page of the scrapbook, I printed out this favorite poem of mine by General Douglas A. MacArthur. I remember the first time I discovered these words. I was only twenty-one years old, not even a mother yet...the same age Griff is as he leaves for service to his country today. Somehow I tucked the poem away in my collection of quotes and poems and remembered it this week. As you read it, remember all the dedicated men and women who are serving our great country today. May God bless them and God bless the U. S. A.
Build me a son, O Lord,
who will be strong enough to know when he is weak,
and brave enough to face him self when he is afraid;
one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat,
and humble and gentle in victory.
who will be strong enough to know when he is weak,
and brave enough to face him self when he is afraid;
one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat,
and humble and gentle in victory.
Build me a son whose wishbone will not be
where his backbone should be;
a son who will know Thee- and that
to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
where his backbone should be;
a son who will know Thee- and that
to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort,
but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.
Here, let him learn to stand up in the storm;
here, let him team compassion for those who fall.
but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge.
Here, let him learn to stand up in the storm;
here, let him team compassion for those who fall.
Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goals will be high;
a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men;
one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep;
one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men;
one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep;
one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.
And after all these things are his,
add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor,
so that he may always be serious,
yet never take himself too seriously.
add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor,
so that he may always be serious,
yet never take himself too seriously.
Give him humility, so that he may always remember
the simplicity of true greatness,
the open mind of true wisdom,
the meekness of true strength.
the simplicity of true greatness,
the open mind of true wisdom,
the meekness of true strength.
Then I, his father, will dare to whisper,
"I have not lived in vain."
"I have not lived in vain."
