Honour your Mother and Your Father

Dear friend,

I'm pleased to share this poem with you. My parents are long gone, but I have children and grandchildren who carry not only their blood but also their hopes for a better world.

I hope you enjoy and apply the message in this poem daily.

Thank you.

 Honour Your Mother and Father

(A poem by Sal Godoij.)

I'm sure that your mother and father

Deserve the honour you hold in them

Not because it is God's commandment

It's more than that

Not because they gave you life

It's more than that

It is for what they have done afterwards

Carrying you in their arms, supporting you further

Raising you to become who you have become

A mother, a father as well, aye, and in due time

In due time, you will form a chain of honourable families

Grandparents, parents, children, grandchildren

Ah, you know now how much your parents invested in your rearing

Raising a child is indeed a tough test

They raised you at their best until you left the nest

And now, you too, as a parent, must follow their example

And so, honour your parents, and honour your children as well

For you owe to your children more than they owe you

So, raise them into this world healthy

In heart and mind, they will grow wealthy

Honour your parents, and honour your children

And they will fill your life with grace and praise

 Forever and ever, and the world will rejoice.

Copilot’s Poem Review: "Honour Your Mother and Father" by Sal Godoij

Extracted Meaning and Message

This poem conveys a profound reflection on the importance of honouring one's parents, extending beyond mere obedience to a commandment or the fact that they gave you life. The poet emphasizes that true honour is rooted in recognizing the sacrifices, love, and support parents provide throughout their children's upbringing. The poem suggests that raising a child is an immense responsibility and a challenging test, one that parents strive to perform at their best until their children are ready to live independently.

As the poem progresses, it highlights the cyclical nature of family, noting how honour and care are passed down through generations—grandparents, parents, children, and grandchildren—forming a "chain of honourable families." The poet urges the reader, now possibly a parent themselves, to follow in their parents' footsteps by raising their own children with the same devotion and care. Furthermore, the message expands to encourage honouring not only one's parents but also one's children, recognizing that parents owe their children a nurturing and healthy environment to help them thrive emotionally and intellectually.

Ultimately, the poem's message is one of gratitude, responsibility, and the enduring rewards of familial love and respect. By honouring both parents and children, individuals contribute to a legacy of grace, praise, and joy that enriches their lives and reverberates through the broader community. The poem invites readers to appreciate the investments made by previous generations and to continue the tradition of honour and care for future generations.