I found this poem on another blog I was reading..sorry can't even remember whose blog I found it on. But it brought tears to my eyes. Between the reality of Pierce going to kindergarten and Camden turning one in a few weeks it hit close to home.
Pierce had his kindergarten day at school this week. He wasn't too sure about going but once he was coaxed off my leg he had fun. Hopefully this is not a preview of the first day as that will only make it harder on me. Camden is 11 months and at such a fun age. She is starting to take steps, she has taken up to three but still prefers the crab crawl. I wasn't ready for her to walk yet but now that we are outside so much and she drags that knee and puts everything from the ground in her mouth I am ready. She also shakes her head back and forth if you say "no, no, Camden." Its hilarious, more of a side way shake. I tried to get it on tape but it doesn't do it justice. She also still loves to do her grunting face. Holt inherited Gabe's old bike and LOVES it. All we wants to now is ride bikes. He is still trying to master the braking part, his old bike didn't have breaks, but the boy could ride all day. We had a fun spring break week and enjoyed the lack of schedule and being able to do outings with Pierce, since he's usually at school 4 days. We went to Durham to celebrate Mammy's 90th birthday last weekend and the boys had fun playing with their cousins and it was great to see everyone else.
Let Me Hold you Longer, by Karen Kingsbury
Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of firsts,
First smiles and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
and leave to me your past
And I will be left thinking of
a lifetime of your lasts…
The last time that I held a bottle
to your baby lips
The last time that I lifted you
and held you on my hip.
The last night when you woke up crying,
needing to be walked,
When last you crawled up with your blanket,
wanting to be rocked.
The last time when you ran to me,
still small enough to hold.
The last time that you said you’d marry
me when you grew old.
Precious, simple moments and
bright flashes from your past-
Would I have held on longer if
I’d known they were your last?
Our last adventure to the park,
your final midday nap,
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap.
Your last few hours of kindergarten,
those last few days of first grade,
Your last at bat in Little League,
last colored picture made.
I never said good-bye to all
your yesterdays long passed.
So what about tomorrow-
will I recognize your lasts?
The last time that you catch a frog
in that old backyard pond.
The last time that you run barefoot
across our fresh-cut lawn.
Silly, scattered images
will represent your past.
I keep on taking pictures,
never quite sure of your lasts…
The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you
and tuck you in at night.
The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you
The last time you jump in our bed
and sleep between us two.
The last piano lesson,
last vacation to the lake.
Your last few weeks of middle school,
last soccer goal you make.
I look ahead and dream of days
that haven’t come to pass.
But as I do, I sometimes miss
today’s sweet, precious lasts…
The last time that I help you with
a math or spelling test.
The last time when I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.
The last time that you need me for
a ride from here to there.
The last time that you spend the night
with your old tattered bear.
My life keeps moving faster,
stealing precious days that pass,
I want to hold on longer-
want to recognize your lasts…
The last time that you need my help
with details of a dance.
The last time that you ask me for
advice about romance.
The last time that you talk to me
about your hopes and dreams.
The last time that you wear a jersey
for your high school team.
I’ve watched you grow and barely noticed
seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time,
I’d hold on to your lasts.
For come some bright fall morning,
you’ll be going far away.
College life will beckon
in a brilliant sort of way.
One last hug, one last good-bye,
one quick and hurried kiss.
One last time to understand
just how much you’ll be missed.
I’ll watch you leave and think how fast
our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God,
to every precious last.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Thanks for the poem Court. That is beautiful and a good reminder to treasure every second we have with our children. I can not believe that Camden is almost 1. Can't wait to see her walking!
That is actually a picture book and I somehow have two copies of it. I'll bring you one tomorrow so you can cry every time you read it to your kids, like I do ;)
Post a Comment