All grown up

 Mother and Child Reading by Frederick Warren Freer


To my grown-up son
Author unknown

My hands were busy through the day;
I didn't have much time to play
The little games you asked me to-
I didn't have much time for you.
I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook;
But when you'd bring your picture book
And ask me please to share your fun, 
I'd say: "A little later, son"

I'd tuck you in all safe at night,
And hear your prayers, turn out the light,
Then tip-toe softly to the door. . .
I wish I'd stayed a minute more.

For life is short, the 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 longer games to hear-
That's all belongs to yesteryear.

My hands, once busy, now are still.
The days are long and hard to fill.
I wish I could go back and do
The little things you asked me to.

From "Stories for the heart" compiled by Alice Gray

painting by George Dunlop Leslie

This is dedicated to all the mothers who rush about doing other "important" things (link) . . . just remember, time is so short and before you know it our children have left home.  I've been guilty of this.

~oOo~

Comments

  1. Hi, Jo, just letting you know that I have added your blog to my blogroll of Aussie Christian Bloggers. Could you please add mine? thanks, Glenys

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  2. Beautiful, Jo! I love these photos, too. Are they available for downloading?

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  3. I might be a "new" mum, but I have been well aware of this after watching first how fast my neices and nephews have grown. So now when I feel like I get nothing done for me, I remember that time with my little girl can not be caught up later and will be part of many precious memories for me... and her! In fact, when I say "not now, I'm making a meal" I feel guilty - wishing I could always drop what I am doing to spend time with her! Now that is rather excessive, but it is SO important to spend time with the little ones beofre they are big... and gone!
    love,
    Bets

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  4. Bets, it can be very difficult when you are cooking dinner or cleaning the house that you can't always stop and play. But once bub is bigger she will be able to join in and that time is also precious. I spent a few minutes on the bench in the sun with T today and it was so nice to stop and chat. All grown up at 23 but still likes to chat with his mum, I love those moments.

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  5. Trisha, I found the photos via Google images by searching mother and child. They are rather nice:)

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  6. I guess this is something we all need to remind ourselves of from time to time - and one of the reasons why I have cut down on my time online recently. I really enjoy doing the chores with my children, and homeschooling and reading with them and teaching them life skills really helps to ensure I spend plenty of time with them. And yet no matter how much time we spend with them, they still grow up SO quickly!

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  7. Hi Jo -
    You know I often think (really - I do think about this~~) that I did not take as much time to play with my son when he was growing up. As a single Mother - it was hard to manage everything - but now, I wish I had just let some of those things go and spent more time with him. I worry that I was not a very good Mother - you are so right - time passes way too quickly!

    Vicki

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  8. As the mother of two grown sons now moved out of home..I feel the words of that poem quite deeply, Jo.
    I miss the sweet days of their childhood very much!
    Yes, it is very important to give those extra moments to our children - so true.
    It creates a strong bond and you will never regret it!
    God bless..Trish

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  9. Lily-Rose Cottage: one of my son's has left home and set up his own home and the other one is almost 19 so I understand what you are saying. I really miss those years when they were little and I would love to have them back but of course we can't. It felt like only yesterday that they were toddlers now it has gone, been replaced with a memory.

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  10. Thank you for this reminder. Younger women cannot be reminded of this enough! I am pretty much trying to do as Clara said, spending less time on the computer.

    Have a blessed week!

    ~Mrs. A

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  11. Aw, that makes me sad. But a good reminder to not miss those special moments our children plead for.

    ♥ Mrs. Q

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