Second day of third grade, Three Oaks Elementary She sat in the first row, I was all the way across the room It might as well have been the far side of the moon I had to get her attention, she wouldnt look at me I waited for the bell to ring, and when we went outside for recess I put a cricket down the backside of her dress Had to take a note home, Mama spanked my butt Daddy hugged me, Son, thats part of growing up You live and learn to give and take Whn to use your strength And when you need a gntle touch Sometimes it takes patience Sometimes a greater store of love You learn it growing up Andy was my best friend, all the way through high school We couldnt wait for Friday night Wed chip in change for gas in his car and roam One night I was grounded so he went out on his own Two oclock in the morning, Id just gotten to sleep Mama took the call and woke me That was Andys Daddy on the phone Andy missed that hairpin curve on Levee Road Andy loved to run hard, he never buckled up Mama held me when I cried growing up You live and learn to give and take When to pray for strength When understandings not enough Look life in the eye Even when the road gets rough Its not easy growing up I cant forget the day she called me home from work The pains were getting closer She said, Hon, dont panic, but its time to go We named him Andy for a friend I used to know It hit me just this morning, I dropped him off at school No great revelation I just bowed my head and thanked the Lord for all Ive got Little league and family picnics in the park And all our folks are doing well, the circles filling out I treasure every moment, Im still growing up You live and learn to give and take Always try to do your best And hope that its enough And if you dont lose the faith Youll always find the love Its all part of growing up
andy, growing, learn, mama, take