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This One is a Tear Jerker

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Women Living Well Blog: This One is a Tear Jerker

Women Living Well Blog

Thursday, April 16, 2009

This One is a Tear Jerker

So my sister emailed me this poem yesterday and she warned me "Get some tissues and enjoy a good cry" and since I do everything my big sister tells me to do (haha) - I got my tissues and cried while I read this sweet poem!


On Christmas Eve, I planned to move the rocking chair out of Lexi's room to make room for her new doll house she would receive on Christmas morning. She was nearly 4 at the time and she rarely laid her head down when we rocked and hadn't fallen asleep on me in months - she was more into chatting and I figured we could do that on the side of her bed. So on Christmas Eve I rocked her for the last time in her room and surprisingly she fell asleep on me! What a Christmas gift she gave me! I sat there and thought - this is the "last" time I'll ever rock her to sleep and I cried. Remembering that moment - makes me have to get a tissue...excuse me...okay, I'm back!

Here's the poem by Karen Kinsbury - Let Me Hold You Longer (get your tissues ready moms!)



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.



In the midst of your busy schedule and laundry and dishes - do not forget to enjoy your children - you never know what thing they will do for the last time today. This season will not last forever.


Walk with the King!

www.womenlivingwell.org

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3 Comments:

Blogger kimmy said...

I like that perspective!

April 17, 2009 at 2:32 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yep, I cried! Nice reminder, I was just praying about being mindful of how quickly seasons go with our kids and to enjoy each-- good and bad looking for ways to learn and grow from it all!
THanks!
-dm

April 20, 2009 at 6:37 AM  
Blogger Morgan said...

Courtney-

How ironic that you had this on here already! I somehow missed this post (must have been during the chaos of getting ready to move). We must think alike!

My kids are all still very young, so we haven't had many lasts yet. When I feel frustrated that they're asking for me to snuggle with them or scratch their back, or tell them a story, I try to remember that someday they might not ask anymore at all. I want to make the most of every moment, because you never know when it might be the last.

Thanks for sharing Karen's poem. She is one of my favorite authors!

May 14, 2009 at 9:56 PM  

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