Dear Son

A friend asked me to write something for a Baby Blessing she was attending for a friend last weekend. This is what came out. No I am not a mother, but I do feel like all the children of the world are mine to love! If you're attending a baby blessing and like this poem, please feel free to use it as long as credit is given to me, the author (Jessica Rios).


Dear Son,

As you enter this world having been tucked so far in the safety of my womb

May you embody safety by continuing to feel the infinite Love your mom and dad feel for you

You will emerge trusting us completely

And we will meet you by being loving enough to show you 'no' as often as 'yes'

When that is the Love you are asking for

This is the safe container we promise you

Precious son, while this container is created and held for you,

You will be my greatest teacher

May you feel completely free to express yourself

Exactly how you are

Whatever is true for you is perfect and beautiful

And as your mother I ask that you forgive me when

the boundaries I create are too tight or

the freedom I give you is not secure enough to fully trust me and 

make you feel safe

As a boy when you grow more aware of the world's problems, 

May you acknowledge the role men have played while standing in a place of confidence

That men are not to blame, just as women are not victims

When you're old enough to feel butterflies in your belly about a sweet young girl

May you treat her with the dignity of a flower

May you respect her just as you have been shown respect between men and women at home

And when the world suggests that it's not OK for men to feel deeply or even cry

May you stand in the power of what it means to be 'a real man'

And show them 

It actually is

Son, may you make the world your playground

Living in the Light and freedom of someone who is totally loved

Splashing in puddles and 

Zooming in rockets and

Climbing tall trees for all of the beautiful days 

Of your Life

in pure gratitude,

Mama