You were six months old and full of fun,
With a blink of my eye, you were suddenly one.

There were so many things we were going to do,
but I turned my head and you turned two.

At two, you were very dependent on me,
but independence took over when you turned three.

Your third birthday; another year I tried to ignore,
but when I lit the candles, there weren't three, but four.

Four was the year that you really strived.
Why, look at you now, you're already five.

Now you are ready for books and for rules.
This is the year you go to school.

The big day came, you were anxious to go.
We walked to the bus going oh, so slow.

As you climbed aboard and waved good-bye,
I felt a lump in my throat and tears stung my eyes.

Time goes so fast it's hard to believe
that just yesterday you were home here with me.

And tomorrow when the bus brings you home
and you jump to the ground
you'll be wearing your cap and graduation gown.

So I'm holding to these moments as hard as I can,
because the next time I look, I'll be seeing a man.

~~ Alexander McCall Smith ~~

A Close View of a Mother Holding Her ...

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WHEN GOD CALLS LITTLE CHILDREN

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When God calls little children
to dwell with him above,

We mortals sometime question
the wisdom of his love

For no heartache compares with
the death of one small child

Who does so much to make our world,
seem wonderful and mild

Perhaps God tires of calling
the aged to his fold,

So He picks a rosebud,
before he can grow old.

God knows how much we need them,
and so he takes but a few

To make the land of Heaven
more beautiful to view.

Believing this is difficult still
somehow we must try,

The saddest word mankind knows will
always be "Goodbye."

So when a little child departs
we who are left behind

Must realize God loves children,
Angels are hard to find.

~~ Maya Angelou ~~

You are Precious