10 Things Poem by Jim Yerman

I am your baby…just born yesterday…I have all my fingers…all of my toes
and even though I can't talk yet…here are 10 things I'd like you to know.

You will receivea lot of good and bad advice…
you won't always be able to tell them apart
so the first thing I have to tell you….
is to trust yourself and follow your heart

Please…never call me stupid or I might end up feeling that way.
protect me….keep me safe and warm…life will be more appealing that way

And don't be alarmed if I get hurt…when I bruise…be there to soothe and numb it…
remember your job is to help me learn about life…
not to keep me protected from it

Mistakes are just a part of who I am…and in my life they will be interspersed
So if you want me to believe in myself…
you must believe in me first.

I will be a child for a while…so be forgiving and patient with me
even the times when I make it difficult for you to be the parents you imagined you'd to be.

Finally, remember to love me no matter what… it's the last thing I need you to know
your love is something I always will need…something I'll never outgrow.

So there you have it…10 things you should know…
at least I think that's the right amount…
after all I was only born yesterday…
I can't talk
how can you expect me to count!