Childhood Dosen't Wait

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The youngest one was whining,
"Pick me up," I heard him beg
but the mother's face grew angry
as the child clung to her leg.

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"Don't hang on to me," she shouted
as she pushed his hands away,
I wish I'd had the courage
to go up to her and say...

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"The time will come too quickly
when those little arms that tug,
Won't ask for you to hold them
or won't freely give a hug.

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"The day will sneak up subtly
just as it did with me,
When you can't recall the last time
that your child sat on your knee.

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"Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings
when we cherished time alone
Our babies grow and leave behind
those special times we've known.

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"So when your child comes to you
with a book that you can share,
Or asks that you would tuck him in
and help him say his prayer...

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"When he comes to sit and chat
or would like to take a walk,
Before you answer that you can't
`cause there's no time to talk.

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"Remember what all parents learn
so many times too late,
That years go by too quickly
and that childhood doesn't wait.

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"Take every opportunity,
if one should slip away
Reach hard to get it back again,
don't wait another day."

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I watched that mother walk away
her children followed near,
I hope she'll pick them up
before her chances disappear...

by Kathie Davis