(Put the dishes down. )
Your kids are now grown no longer home
the crackers stale in the cupboard.
They’re on their own, you talk by phone
No more mother Hubbard.
(Put the dishes down.)
Kainoa’s not pulling at your pants
no one’s waking you at night.
Maile’s not putting on a dance
Or putting up a fight.
(Put the dishes down.)
Laina’s not acting like a dog,
The kids aren’t begging to eat.
You’re running out of topics to blog
And you miss those little feet.
(Put the dishes down.)
No one’s asking for ice cream
No one’s pleading for toys.
Kainoa plays for a professional team
And the girls are into boys.
(Put the dishes down.)
You let them make their own mistakes.
You hold your breath and pray.
Your heart pounds and leaps and breaks and aches
As they make their way.
(Put the dishes down)
You’ll miss them coloring at the table.
You’ll miss kissing away the pain.
You’ll miss carrying them when you were able.
You’ll miss singing about the rain.
(Put the dishes down)
So hold your little dears
Embrace their happy sound
Enjoy them through these years
And put the dishes down.
Love Kathy at 49
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I just discovered your blog today, and found my way to this poem. It brought tears to my eyes.
I am a 29 year old stay at home mom of 2 little girls, ages 10 months and 2 years. I, too, am guilty of getting caught up in the chaos of housework and not fully embracing how quickly this time will pass…
I love your blog and I am anxious to participate in your Writer’s Workshop – what a great idea!
Thanks for the inspiration…
God, you suck. I’m still reading through so I can be a complete stalker and know every little detail about your life that you release, and you are making me stop and hold my sleeping baby while I cry. That was, quite possibly, the most beautiful thing I’ve ever read. You are amazingly talented.
Oh my God! I’m crying.. Just this morning I’m planning to work again because I’m so tired with everything; the mess, the tantrums, a lot of why’s and mom… and after reading this I realize that I am so selfish. Thank you for sharing this, really from the bottom of my heart thank you. God Bless you and your talent, I’ll be offline at the moment to be with them.