The DiscipleMD

As a young man, my mother once paid me a great compliment in public. It had a significant positive impact on my life.  I thought at the time, if only I could be all that my Mother thought I was! That compliment has stayed with me, and it has been a reminder of the goal of being all that my Mother thought I was and could be. I came across this poem many years later, but it brought back memories of that day. I share with you.

While walking down a crowded

City street the other day,

I heard a little urchin

To a comrade turn and say

“Say, Chimney, lemme tell youse,

I’d be happy as a clam

If I only was de feller dat

Me mudder t’inks I am.

“She t’inks I am a wonder,

An she knows her little lad

Could nver mix wit’ nuttin’

Dat was ugly, mean or bad.

Oh, lot o’times I sit and t’ink

How nice, twould be, gee whiz!

If a feller was de feller

Dat his mudder t’inks he is.”

My friends, be yours a life of toil

Or undiluted joy,

You can learn a wholesome lesson

From that small, untutored boy.

Don’t aim to be an earthy saint,

With eyes fixed on a star:

Just try to be the fellow that

Your mother thinks you are.

– Will S. Adkin in Praying Hands
(IF I ONLY WAS THE FELLOW)

I am now approaching seventy years on this earth, and I still am striving to be ‘the fellow my Mother thinks I am!” Thanks, Mom, for encouraging me to stretch my wings and inspiring me to soar to greater heights!