Test of time

Rarely, if not ever, did they see eye-to-eye

Pep talks often turned directions
Into long lectures on proper conduct

Deemed seemingly appropriate
For a woman of class and manner

Debates on freedom and enforced discipline
Escalated fast into heated arguments

Often ending with nothing but a strong hand
For every deemed character flaw

Years rolled by, arguments matured
To firm disagreements

Now about investments, money and suspicious friendships

Self made decisions and her choices to stand by them,
often never boded well

His approval was maybe in a slit of a smile
A quick hug or a curt good-bye

As she looked back and waved
Off to her husband's place, as a newly wedded bride

She never cried. Neither did he.

Tough love. That was his style.
Cut from the same cloth, it only made her tougher.

A few strokes of luck and a whole lot prayers
A few mischief and major mistakes here and there

Choices manifested for the best
Arguments died down to acceptance
Then to quiet admiration

As she saw the toughest man she knew
Shed a tear or two
To the parting cries of his beloved grandson

Waves of love and tenderness in eyes
So moist he could barely hide

Tough love probably did make a daughter
Tough enough, for the big bad world

But in moments like this you'd realize
Even the toughest of love melts

All it takes is time.