To My Grown Up Son

To My Grown-Up Son or Daughter by Alice E. Chase My manpower were busy through the day, I didnt have much time to play The little games you asked me to, I didnt have much time for you. Id wash your clothes Id sew and cook, But when youd bring your picture book And ask me, please, to share your fun, Id say, A little later, hon. Id tuck you in each safe at night, And hear your prayers, turn out the light, Then tiptoe thinly to the door, I wish Id stayed a minute more. For life is short, and years rush past, A little boy grows up so fast, No longer is he at your side,His precious secrets to confide. The picture books are put away, There are no childrens games to play, No goodnight kiss, no prayers to hear, That all belongs to yesteryear. My hold once busy, now lie still, The days are long and hard to fill, I wish I could go back and do, The little things you asked me to. To My Grown-Up Mom Your detainment were busy through the day You didnt have much time to play. The little thing s Id ask of you, You took the time to see, to do You washed my clothes, youd sew and cook. (The best damn Halloween costumes that town had ever seen, I might add And when Id bring my picture book, your dark, thick outlines and perfect strokes had me mesmerized. You close in me in, all safe at night. Ran your fingers across my temple til my eyes shut tight. I do the same for Mika, now. An inherited maternal signature passed on somehow. I wonder, sometimes, if life is really as short as we think it is. I watch the years rush past and dont have all the answers, yet. But time brings wisdom, wrinkles, and opportunities to learn. I grew out of goodnight kisses and picture books. I cant hear you creaking across the floor hen I sleep, anymore. No fingers on my temple when Im tired. My hands are pretty busy, now. Yours are, too. We cant go back and do the things we used to do. But in this moment I can stop and thank you for your water-soaked raisin fingers (after doing another stack of dish es ) I can thank you for the Halloween costumes and picture books, the temple rubs and time spent investment funds in love. I grapple sometimes it probably wasnt easy to take and make the time, but every moment counted and I wanted you to know I couldnt have done it without you.