The Power of Surrender Series

from The Family Collection

I Call Her Mom

Only with experience, can one understand what being a Mom means,

When I was young, always too busy creating my life’s scenes.

I wonder what you thought while still carrying me,

Could you really love this stranger, endure the pain of labor, for this wee one soon to be?

When I think back seems you were always there,

You didn’t always say it, but your actions said “I care”.

I wonder what you felt at times, what if I were you?

My difficult times in life, those we all endure.

A bump, a scrape, a broken limb, pain not always mild,

What did you feel when love broke my heart, once again your broken child?

It was my belief so often that Mom did not know best,

The better choice for me today, let my resentments rest.

With wisdom life comes clearer, I see my Mom in me,

No perfect path or blueprint on how it is to be, just a bond we can’t always see.

We didn’t choose each other, God’s will the golden key,

Gratitude is in my heart, I thank you on bended knee.

No matter what has happened, I only have one mother, don’t you see?

Your gift my Lord, I call her Mom, because without her there is no me.

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2005

The Power of Surrender Series

...from the Family Collection

He’s My Dad

Some accept only perfection, others more laid back,

One may seem aloof, another focused to keep their child on track.

A Father is what most men become, for most it is their choice,

Their wisdom and experience provide a consoling voice.

A Father’s tasks are many, not always visibly,

Counselor, leader, listener exposing life’s doors for me.

I know your not always there, even in times of need,

Your spirit lingers in my soul, I’m product of your seed.

My Dad is not invincible, not even always right,

As time goes by I question when I was angry just for spite.

Melancholy moments, reflect and think and pray,

So many times you had to go when I wished that you would stay.

I didn’t understand Lord, back when I was young,

Awareness embraces me, now that my life as a parent has begun.

It came to me in prayer one insightful night,

I can only do the best I can, hope my choices right.

Thank you for this gratitude, to understand my Father proud,

The meaning all comes home, when I hear my child say “He’s My Dad” out loud.

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2006

The Power of Surrender Series

from The Family Collection

You Have a Son

Our minds are baffling sometimes, don’t you think?

Memories of yesterday forgotten, many years ago vivid in a blink.

We all experience life events of significance over time,

Some are best forgotten, others we hold onto as forever sublime.

So many miracles, transformations and beauty unfurled,

Remembrances never to be forgotten, the day you came into this world.

Visions and expectations of the life that you might live,

Commitment in the heart from who brought you to receive all I could give.

It wasn’t just you my son experiencing things unknown,

Just being a parent is no guarantee of making a house a home.

As time passed God revealed His gift for free,

Unconditional love His children bring, His glimpse of eternity.

A parents love is timeless, whether a son is small or grown,

Even for a son that’s lost, their hearts will always be his home.

You have given something that you can’t even see,

A priceless gift of understanding , of what it means to love unconditionally.

There will come a day for you my son , these words heard more clearly,

When someone says, “You have a son”, and you fully understand how much you mean to me..

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2006

The Power of Surrender Series

from The Family Collection

The Daughter On My Knee

How do we express something we cannot see?

Stifling emotions restrain expressions we so desire to free.

Of all of life’s events, there is one I struggle to describe,

The day God brought you my daughter, a joy to which everyone should subscribe.

You had a twinkle in your eye, a nose so cute and curt,

It was beyond my comprehension that some day you might hurt.

Soft, tender, you held my little finger,

This vision in my mind will forever linger.

Although I would prefer to freeze that moment in time,

I accepted and let go, our lives unfold, it is our God’s design.

Time has passed, your beauty there for all to see,

More important it is what’s inside, only we know what binds you and me.

In front of me in disbelief this wonderful woman stands,

It seems like only yesterday I could hold you in my hands.

We have had our moments of joys, struggles and fears,

Times when the Lord stepped in so we could wipe each others tears.

It does not matter what you do, what path becomes your destiny,

God gave me unconditional love when He set you down, as the daughter on my knee.

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2006

The Power of Surrender Series

from The Family Collection　

He’s Still My Brother

There are many things in life that defy explanation,

Brother’s are a fact of life, almost since creation.

An older brother is there to guide me in a moment when I feel lost,

At other times he will do anything for me, regardless of the cost.

A younger brother seeks me out to see what I might know,

Another day I might lean on him to ease a tragic blow.

Some brothers maintain control and seem so very strong,

Others succumb to weaknesses and their lives go wrong.

Most brothers come from families learning who they will be,

Others come from broken homes, lacking harmony.

I never really stopped to think what my life might be,

If I did not have you brother, who will always be some part of me.

It doesn’t really matter if our love is right or wrong,

Your a gift from God from whom I’ve learned, you make me strong.

Whenever I think of you I will proclaim with great pride,

Sometimes he’s too heavy, but He’s still my brother, and you are always at my side.

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2005

The Power of Surrender Series

from The Family Collection 

My Sister You Will Be

These family things, they can so boggle the mind,

Difficult situations with love intertwined.

All emotions from joy to jealousy,

Are found universally, in this thing we call family.

Of all the combinations, uncles, brothers and wives,

Perhaps it may be sisters who bring the most color into our lives.

Sisters are found everywhere, across all oceans,

Their gift is vital, they bring us their emotions.

My sister is unique, incredible and true,

I know this for a fact, because my sister is you.

I know there have been times when we were far from eye to eye,

My heart can grow sad, if I think of the times we made each other cry.

Sometimes when I find this spot, and think of how it feels,

I realize I am not perfect and to amend our hearts appeals.

The fog of life can sometimes obscure when we have been close,

I prayed to God and He told me, just remember the good times the most.

My choice for today is gratitude and acceptance of your love for me,

Thank you for the gift that forever, no matter what, my sister you will be.

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2006

The Power of Surrender Series

from The Gold Collection 

Behind Grandma’s Smile

So many names we call her, this woman to be admired,

Nana or Grandma, to her grandchild it seems she will never appear tired.

When I was younger. mine found many ways to nurture my heart,

Not until you were born did I understand, but it was there from the start.

A feeling so wonderful, peaceful and unique,

Pure joy welled up inside as if I was cradled in God’s mystique.

Others had told me, it will be a feeling difficult to describe,

What was once only a vision, now in my arms, I can touch you and your alive.

Time will pass and it does not matter if you’re still small or if you are grown,

The warmth you bring to me my child, will melt a heart of stone.

You have changed my life, it will never be the same since you came into this world,

True comprehension of the circle of life as each day your path unfurls.

I know that you cannot fully understand just what I am trying to say,

Gratitude to God is behind Grandma’s smile, I love you every minute of everyday.

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2006

The Power of Surrender Series

from The Gold Collection

What Grandpa Knows

Impossible to describe, the feeling when you were born,

A connection like no other, to be sustained beyond the fiercest storm.

Before you ever spoke a word, I knew what I would see,

I could sense a kindred spirit that will always live on in me.

For some we are Grandfather, Papa, or Grandpa, whatever provides us esteem,

I once knew a man whose Grandpa preferred it simple, he was always just “Gene”.

My Grandfather did not live close, we did not see each other everyday,

As time passed I realized he was always with me in so many a way.

I never understood this bond I could not describe,

The moment you were born, God created new wisdom that remains with me inside.

It’s as if God said, “Here is a gift like you have never seen”,

I give you a grandchild, and a chance to amend and redeem.

Even though I may not see you everyday, once a week, or even for a year,

There is something I must tell you my child, so you hear me very clear.

If you fall from a mountain, become lost in a valley, or if you should chart a sea,

What Grandpa knows, my spirit is always with you, you gave new life and love unconditionally.

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2006

The Power of Surrender Series

from The Family Collection

To Be Your Grandchild

How do you do it, what is it I can’t see?

It seems no matter what is wrong, you still believe in me.

Sometimes I’m not happy, I may not know what is wrong,

You come into the room, I see a smile, suddenly I feel a song.

A gentle laugh, a knowing look, a touch tender and free,

You bring with you a bond I cannot see, a feeling of certainty.

I think there is something special, I may not be old enough to understand,

All I really know for sure, it feels safe when you take my hand.

I have some friends, their grandparents they don’t see,

I’m not sure why, and it makes me sad, they are not as lucky as me.

Something happens when you come around, I find it hard to explain,

It’s okay with you to be myself, whether I am extravagant or plain.

If I am young or as I grow old, one thing I know for sure,

To be your Grandchild, is to feel God’s love, so pure.

Michael Patrick Conway

The Power of Surrender Series

Copyright 2006