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Build me a son, O Lord

by Douglas MacArthur

 

Build me a son, O Lord,
who will be strong enough to know when he is weak,
brave enough to face himself when he is afraid,

Build me a son,
whose wishes will not take the place of deeds...
Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort,
but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenges.

Let him learn to stand in the storm;
let him learn compassion for those who fall.

Build me a son,
whose heart is clear, whose goals will be high
a son who will master himself before he seeks to master others;
who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past.

And after all these things aer his, add, I pray,
enough of a sense of humor
so that he may always be serious
yet never take himeself too seriously...

Then, I, his father will dare to whisper,
"I have not lived in vain."