'love's melody, no heard alone'

'Love's melody, not heard alone' (birthday thank you) trgates,5/18/15

awakened three months early,
Mother used to remind me.
returned six months later,
hospital and specialist prepared to try a new thing,
she readied for my 50/50 chance of repose.
melancholy an ironic gift
empathy its child
sympathy, never.
not included in reindeer games
last picked for ball games.
Trombone, Guitar, Paints, legal paper and pencils,
gifts from parents, grateful that their Son was alive.
Mother and Father knew better.
I didn't. Not at the time.
Son, an okay one
Husband, maybe adequate for them
Father, one thing that always makes sense
Grandfather, another thing that makes sense
Friend, thankful that many call me this
Friend, I am.
"What is normal?
That which is not abnormal."
Offended? It's a waste.
Advocate? For all, especially those marginalized.
Gift of empathy. 
My friends? Friends, that's it.
"Who happen to be........," of secondary note, as they note.
as one dear friend reminds me of these words once shared,
"It's hard to damn someone you love,"
so the song I sing, I sing
Love's melody, not heard alone.