The Art of Family Values

I know many arts
     But one, I am so perplexed  
It has escaped me.  
   
I can write a poem  
     And, I take a mean picture  
But one art, I lacked.  
   
Oh - I tried, I did  
     But did not come naturally  
Family to teach me?  
   
They are geniuses  
     In my eyes, at art of life  
At mere compassion.  
   
Back when I was born  
     My father used to watch me  
Made sure I was safe.  
   
Later on in church  
     When a family moved town  
My mother, she cried.  
   
Anything he'd do  
     My uncle was a kind soul  
A good word for all.  
   
'Is Garrett OK?'  
     Dad asked about my first day  
High school can be rough.  
   
My bro, he would help  
     And his friends welcomed me in  
Helped me socialize.  
   
Mother made the house  
     The nerve center of the block  
And of family.  
   
Once when I was shy  
     She cried for my timidness    
I missed my birthday.  
   
My mother nagged me  
     Thought she was criticizing    
But she just cared much.  
   
Through billiards, we bond!  
     Father and son shared pastimes  
No rules, just for fun.  
   
More understanding  
     Special needs, course of studies  
Sister and expert.  
   
Always a pleasure  
     Even if I've heard them lots  
Were Grandpa's stories.  
   
'You are amazing',  
     My grandmother did say once  
So were you, Granny!  
   
Long in my corner  
     Was my other grandmother  
For the underdog.  
   
My papa always  
     Had a line, for everything  
Quick-witted and warm.  
   
As you get older  
     You realized you were blessed  
All but all along.  
   
And when spirit needs  
     Those people returned from you  
You know what you've lost.  
   
....  
   
And in that moment  
     Realization alone  
I can finally  
     Say that yes, perhaps I can -    
And have perfected, this art ....