My Father Too Could Be Happy Sometimes Poem by Shalom Freedman

But he had more pain and suffering most of the time
Than any person I have ever known-
I am in my old age often intensely happy
I wish I could give some of it to him
But he isn’t here any more-
I know his suffering and his pain
Taught me to appreciate the other side of it-
I am grateful to him
And to my mother
Who in her own quiet way
Was happy most of the time-
Life can be this happiness and sadness I feel now,
But it also can be Hell-
God bless my parents wherever they are
How I love them still
In my old age-