Childhood Doesn't Wait

I was sitting on a bench
while in a  nearby mall,
When I noticed a young mother
with two children who were  small.

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.

"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...

"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.

"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.

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

"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...

"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.

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

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

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

by Kathie Davis