It's that time again - the end of the school year. Time is going by so fast and it seems to go by faster each year. This poem, even though I did not write it (can you say plagerism?) is dedicated to all of my mom friends. Grab a tissue!
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 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 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 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 back yard pond.
The last time 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 I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight.
The last time 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 you need my help with the 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 the seasons as they pass.
If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts.
For 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 hurried kiss.
One last 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.
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9 comments:
Oh, Nancy! We have this book (it's a Karen Kingsbury children's book) and I was reading it to RA the other day and I had to stop to swallow and get my act together!! It's such a sweet book and SO true!!
okay, tonight (the night before the last day of Kindergarten) was NOT the night to read that poem! Very sweet...brought tears!
Yes, Christy - I thought of you and Dawn when I read this poem. But wait - you'll have the "first grade" part of the poem next year!
Seriously, Nancy! Christy told me about this tonight, and I just read it. So sweet... maybe I got most of my tears out, and it won't be so bad tomorrow!
Beautiful, and so true. Makes me so sad.
Knot. in. throat.
Tears welling!
Gosh, Fancy Nance, your killin' me here.
My Mother In Law gave me this book on my first Mother's Day. It's on a shelf where AK can't reach it, because I can't read it out loud. At. All. I cry every time. One week ago tomorrow was the last time I was up in the middle of the night with B3, and although I'm hopeful that his sleeping through the night lasts, I can't help but think of this book each time I put him to bed. Yeah, I'm a sap - and I can still blame that on the hormones, right??
OH MY WORD!!! This poem so hits close to home as my oldest is starting high school this year and we have left behind many things. This poem killed me!!!!
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