TO MICHAEL T. (my son)

MY SON JOSEPH DIED,

AND THERE WAS THIS TREMENDOUS VACANCY INSIDE MY HEART.

AND SOMEHOW YOU APPEARED, RELIGHTING EVERY STAR

MY UNRELENTING MOURNING HAD BLOWN OUT.

AND LIFE BEGAN AGAIN FOR ME.

SO FRESHLY NEW, AS IF SPRING HAD ARRIVED.

YOUR LAUGHTER TOUCHED THE SOUL OF ME,

AND WITH EACH WORD YOU SPOKE,

ANOTHER TEAR WAS DRIED.

AND SLOWLY, I BEGAN TO HEAL,

TO HOPE AND DREAM AND LAUGH AND SING AGAIN.

YOU NEVER KNEW HOW MUCH YOU GAVE TO ME.

YOU THOUGHT I WAS THE BETTER FRIEND.

OH NO. OH NO.

IT'S JUST NOT TRUE.

I AM THE LUCKY ONE!

MY HEART IS FULL BECAUSE OF YOU,

MY SPECIAL,

PRICELESS,

GODSENT,

SON.