I sometimes have to be reminded
my little boy isn’t so little anymore
at 43
already familiar with the aches and pains
of approaching middle age
how the decline happens
in slow irregular increments
but this time
it’s much more serious
and it’s all too easy
to see him as invincible
the way I naively saw myself
in a past life
but oh how we learn
the hard way

For 43 years
we’ve supported one another
he with my ADHD
and me with his Clinical Depression
a relationship at times toxic
as any father and son’s can be
but with growing spiritual maturity
having survived a pandemic together
bonded as the best of friends

I try to keep busy
my mind off this latest reality
despite being all torn up inside
(the weather and politics outside
don’t make it any easier)
another reminder that
a parent never stops worrying

On this occasion
more physical than mental
though the two always inseparable
no need to go into the gory details
suffice to say enough
to require diet and lifestyle changes

Having already said the customary
Our Father
with a few special words
to the old man upstairs
I anxiously wait for more word from the hospital
my little boy’s voice
or even better
hear him walk in through the front door
as he always does


© 2026

270 hits as of March 2026

01/31/2026

Posted on 01/31/2026
Copyright © 2026 Chris Sorrenti