There is a song running through my head. I admit I cried myself to sleep last night with it.
Its from an old Mormon musical, Saturday's Warrior, which was mostly worthless camp and fluff, but embedded within the story were a few nuggets of genuine humanity and insight. This sung is sung by the parents in their home and their son out on the streets as he has just run away from home with his group of friends (in the original version) or with his girlfriend (in a later revival.)
Didn't We Love Him
Parents: When he was just a little boy, things were different then...With eyes of trust he looked to us to lead the way. Always bringing us his fears, we could laugh away his tears...But things were different then, when he was just a little boy.
Son: When I was just a little boy, things were different then, I followed them with child-like faith from day to day. When I came to them with fears, they could wipe away my tears...But things were different then. I was just a little boy.
Parents: The years have passed like summer dew upon the grass. The little boy that held our hand grew up so fast. There was a time he loved us, the way we love him now, but growing up has changed it all some how.
Didn't we love him? Didn't we raise him well? Didn't we do our best in spite of all the pain? Would we do it all again and just the same? Where did we fail? What could we do more than we've done? Didn't we love him?
Son: Why can't they love me? Why can't they understand? Why can't they see I'm not a child now, I'm a man? Can't they love me for the person that I am? Love me in spite of me? Why can't they love me?
Finale with interlapping parts:
Didn't we love him?.... .............................. ..................Why can't they love me?
Didn't we raise him well? ..............................................Why can't they understand?
Didn't we do our best in spite of all the pain?................Can't they see I'm not a child now, I'm a man?
Would we do it all again and just the same? .................Can't they love me for the person that I am?
Didn't we.....................................................................Love me in spite of me?
Didn't we love him?
