“You are my son and I am proud of you.”

You might not have said those words exactly

But when I see my own sons the words really hit me

Right in the heart like when you said them to me.

“You are my son and I am proud of you.”

It was not just one moment of my young life

Dad said those words to me all of my life

Even when we were in the midst of heavy strife.

“You are my son and I am proud of you.”

I know I did not always make my dad proud

Like when I was rowdy and just being loud

Or when I was a fool in front of the crowd.

“Still, you are my son and I am proud of you.”

Love is important, but we need to face facts

Dad and Mom love us despite how we act

Still the words that matter most when we face the hard facts.

“You are my son and I am proud of you.”

Boys need men to help them grow up

To tell them what’s what, to tell them what’s up

To let them know for certain that they are grown up.

“You are my son and I am proud of you.”

I need to pass on the wisdom that my dad gave to me

The wisdom of ages that not all can see

The nine simple words that helped me a man to be.

“You are my son and I am proud of you.”