Nothing ever learned in school
ranks near your tutoring.
The lessons I've been given
just being under-wing.

You taught me joy and kindness
without self-compromise.
A real class act to follow
in learning to be wise.

You taught me poise and grace,
things I sometimes lack.
I stumbled and you taught me
that you'd never turn your back.

You taught me to be better
at simply being me.
By learning who I am
and teaching me to be.

In all your great instruction
there's little things I find.
Some choice four-letter words,
a few, if you don't mind.

"Love" and "Life" and "Self"
"Work" and "Play" and "Mind"
"Pure" and "Rich" and "Wise"
"Good" and "True" and "Kind"

Although they're not four letters
"Thanks" and "Mom" count too.
In ways than can't be numbered,
like the ways that I love you.