Don’t blink.
They’re growing up so fast.
Your today’s,
will tomorrow be the past.
Don’t blink.
That tiny bundle you cuddled in your arms,
singing lullabies to and protecting from harm,
will reach up with little arms one day
to ride the school bus that takes them away.
They will be in the care of others.
More confident than their mothers.
You feed them, clothe them and feel their pain
and it’s their unconditional love that you gain.
Even if you hold them down while they get stitches or a shot;
Crying, they cling to you with all that they’ve got.
But don’t blink.
They grow up to be teens
and then they will hardly be seen.
Off with friends. Off to sports.
You feel an empty pain of sorts.
They’re growing up strong and independent, just as should be.
Next, they’re off to their favorite University.
Don’t blink.
They get married and have children of their own.
Now they’re bringing their kids to Grandma’s home.
Your kids and grandchildren will bring you such joy and pride.
The years will fly by. You take them in stride.
Now? Things have changed. It’s them helping me.
I don’t like being a burden. That’s not how it should be.
The Grandkids have grown. I’m feeling old,
and slowing down with aches and pains untold.
I end up in the hospital, sick to my stomach, not feeling strong.
The doctor tells me, “You don’t have long.”
I turn to my sons to see what they think.
They stare at me intensely, too scared to blink.
Michigan Mary 
I’ve always thought about how my mother would cry at any of my milestones, and how I thought she was being dramatic. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized how much love is in those tears, how much a mother has to care for her to cry for you growing up, right under her roof. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you. I was blessed to have a wonderful Mom for around 47 years of my life. I look forward to seeing her again someday. But… I’m not ready to leave my kids or grandchildren yet. Still have a lot of living to do! And yes, those tears are a creation of love. Mostly, I remember my mother’s laughter – she was always laughing – but there also were tears.
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