'If I Had A Son' Poem by Bernard Snyder

I would sit him down and tell him to include God in everything he does
first and foremost. I would then remind him how important
it is to get a good education. I would tell him there will come a time when he must make decisions in life all on his own, so I'd like
him to be able to listen to his heart and trust his intuition. I would tell him to treat people with the utmost respect but don't let them walk over him. I would tell him under no circumstance should he hit a woman, because it would show a lack of respect for her and
a sign of weakness in him as a man. If I had a son I would look him in his eyes and
tell him of the many mistakes I've made, with hopes he won't make the same ones.
I would speak to him about this imperfect world we live in and how he must learn to adapt and act accordingly. I would tell him no one is perfect and we all make mistakes, but it is very important to learn from each one. I would tell my son to always listen, because it would allow him to see things from different perspectives. I would remind him that all friends aren't necessarily his friend and how he'd be able to distinguish the difference in time of need. I would speak to him emphatically
about morals and values. I would tell him to pray often because prayer changes things. I would tell my son to always have ‘faith' because things won't always go his way, but with faith, he would have a reason to keep his head up. I would speak to my son about ‘peer pressure' and how insignificant material things are compared to the way he conducts himself in his every day ‘walk of life'. I would alarm him that he might be stereotyped, not because of who he is, but simply because of the color of his skin. I would tell him whatever he chooses to be in life, try and be the best at it. And when he finally asks me about love, I will say to him ‘now is when you should listen to your heart!