The first day of kindergartenHe hurried to the doorShrugging off his mother’s hugsHe didn’t need them anymoreFor he was all grown up nowToo big for all that stuffInstead he waved a quick good-byeHoping that would be enoughWhen he came home from school that dayShe asked what he had doneHe handed her a paperWith a big round yellow sunA picture quite imperfectFor he’d messed up here and there But she didn’t seem to careThe first day of junior highHe hurried to the doorRunning from his mother’s hugsHe didn’t need them anymoreHe ignored her calling out to himAs he hurried down the streetNear the intersectionWhere his friends had planned to meetWhy he had to walk to schoolRiding with his motherJust wouldn’t have been coolWhen he came home from schoolShe asked what he had doneHe handed her some papersWith Xs marked on more than oneThe teacher clearly pointing out The wrong answers here and thereBut his mother didn’t seem to noticeOr she didn’t seem to careThe first day of senior highHe hurried to the doorJumped into the driver’s seatOf his jacked-up shiny FordHe left without his breakfastHe left without a wordBut he turned and looked backBefore puling from the curbHe saw her waving franticallyAs he drove awayHe tapped his horn just onceTo brighten up her dayHe saw a smile cross her faceAnd then he drove from sightOnward to a different worldA new exciting lifeAnd at his graduationAs tears shone in her eyesHe knew the time had comeTo bid his mom good-byeFor he was off to collegeOff to better daysNo more rules to abideAlone to find his waySuitcases filled the trunkOf his dirty bead-up FordHe couldn’t wait to get to schoolTo check out his room and dormShe opened up his car doorClosed it when he got inThen smiled proudly at her sonAs tears dropped from her chinShe reached through the open windowWished him luck in schoolAnd then she pulled him close to herAnd broke the” no hug” ruleHe felt the freedom greet himAs he pulled out on the interstateAt last his life was his aloneHe anticipated fateCollege life was more challengingThan he ever could have hopedThere was no time to respond to lettersHis mother often wroteHe was a grown adult nowToo old for all that stuffHis visits during holidaysWould have to be enoughBesides, midterms were quickly comingThe pressure was immenseHe studied late into the nightHis need to pass intenseHe wondered how he’d manageHow he’d ever copeWhat if he failed his tests?Would there be no hope?As if he had a callingHe headed down the interstateDriving at full speedThe hour getting lateHe pulled up to the curbWhere once he used to roamAnd went through the open doorOf his mother’s homeShe was sitting at the tableWith a drawing in a frameMemories from the pastThat brought both joy and painShe didn’t need to askWhy he was home from schoolBecause she knew the answerWhen he broke the “no hug” ruleHis arms around her tightlyPeering at the drawing he had doneLots of trees, imperfect branchesAnd a big round yellow sunShe smiled a knowing smileAnd then she spoke aloud“Son you always didAnd you always will make me very proudFor look how far you’ve traveledFrom that little boy so braveHeading off to kindergartenYour hand up in a wave And through the years you’ve made mistakesBut son I’ve made them, tooBeing perfect is not an option in lifeSimply do the best you can doAnd don’t expect more than thatFor life is supposed to be funYou’ve only got one to liveDo what is best for you son”Sitting in his dorm roomWhen the pressure seems too muchAnd all that he is striving forSeems completely out of touchHe peers at the drawingOf a big round yellow sunAnd then he is remindedOf just how far he’s comeFrom childhood to manhoodFighting back many a fearThrough trials and tribulations Holding back many a tearKnowing that being successfulIsn’t passing every testAnd the only way to falter in lifeIs by failing to do his bestAnd the biggest lesson he’s learnedOne he did not learn in school……That it’s okay, for even a manTo break the “no hug” ruleCheryl Costello-Forshey