You ask me about the great big world and I answer your questions, trying to choose wisely.

You ask me about college and I think of your future, choose wisely, my son.

You ask me if your littlest brother will ever talk and I think of the curve balls life throws us and how we decide on joy, choose wisely, my son.

You ask me about having children and I think of the dad you will be, choose wisely, my son.

You ask me how I knew I wanted to marry daddy and I think of the girl that will capture your heart, choose wisely, my son.

You ask me if I miss the uncle you never met and I think of the boy who smiles like you and I try to explain grief, love wisely, my son.

You ask me if you have to go away to school and I remember longing for home and tell you it’s your decision, choose wisely, my son.

You ask me why your brother is so annoying and I think of myself bothering my own big brother and remember my adoration and his patience, choose wisely, my son.

You ask me to come tuck you in after I have turned out the lights and I go back, pull up the covers and crawl beside you so that you will remember that mother.

Your final question in the quiet dark and your subtle gesture of moving over ever so slightly, allows me to slide beside you.

Your steady breathing speaks silently to me, choose wisely, my mother.