Once upon a time, not so long ago, I could hold you in my arms
Cradle you in my lap, carry you over my shoulder.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, you waited with eager anticipation
For my arrival home and our special evening time.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, you were smaller than me
Your voice the same pitch as mine, your hair the same color.
Once upon a time, not so long ago, it seemed you would be my little boy forever
My baby, my pal, my friend, my angel…
Then one day I picked you up from the airport
and suddenly you were too big to jump up in my arms.
Our walks and frolic became less and less as the girls called more and more
No more whip cream fights, no more snuggle movies.
Another day came and I was looking up at you,
There was no mistaking our voices, and your hair was darkening with age.
And then I realized you wouldn’t be my little boy forever.
My baby, my pal, my friend, my angel would one day leave.
At first I spent the days mourning, missing the little cherub by my side
I would see you in every little blonde baby or boy I passed and I would cry.
I waited sadly, hoping for seconds of your time that often never came
Looking back at yesterday with longing and ahead to the day you would leave with fear.
Then one day I saw the vision of the man you were becoming, tall and handsome
Grounded, questioning, logical yet filled with a love for life and care for the world.
I saw parts of me in you and parts of you that were uniquely your own, all of which I admired
Mostly I saw no matter how big you are or how many seconds you share with me, you would always be
My baby, my pal, my friend, my angel, my little boy, and my grown up man.
Comments