Lost Mule Lodge
… a journey that began with a cabin in the woods
This is not the post I was going to write for today. I came across this poem and felt the need to share it – It is as powerful as anything I have read in a while… I think of all the “Last Times” with my own children, and them with their kids. I think of my beautiful niece and her new baby. If we only knew it was going to be the last time… Grab a tissue and read on.
The Last Time
From the moment you hold your baby in your arms,
You will never be the same.
You might long for the person you were before,
When you had freedom and time,
And nothing in particular to worry about.
You will know tiredness like you never knew it before,
And days will run into days that are exactly the same,
Full of feedings and burping,
Nappy changes and crying,
Whining and fighting,
Naps or a lack of naps,
It might seem like a never ending cycle.
But don’t forget…
There is a last time for everything.
There will come a time when you will feed
Your baby for the very last time.
They will fall asleep on you after a long day,
And it will be the last time you ever hold your sleeping child.
One day you will carry them on your hip then set them down,
And never pick them up that way again.
You will scrub their hair in the bath one night
And from that day on they will want to bathe alone.
They will hold your hand to cross the road,
Then never reach for it again.
They will creep into your room at midnight for cuddles,
And it will be the last night you ever wake to this.
One afternoon you will sing “the wheels on the bus”
And do all the actions,
Then never sing them that song again.
They will kiss you goodbye at the school gate,
The next day they will ask to walk to the gate alone.
You will read a final bedtime story and wipe your last dirty face.
They will run to you with arms raised for the very last time.
The thing is, you won’t even know it’s the last time
Until there are no more times.
And even then, it will take you a while to realize.
So while you are living in these times,
Remember there are only so many of them,
And when they are gone, you will yearn for just one more day of them.
For one last time.
-Author Unknown
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My husband’s sister passed away unexpectedly last week. Although she was grown of course and with children of her own, I know her mother yearned for just one more minute, one more hug. That’s a feeling that never leaves a mother.
Very touching…
So sweet. ❤️
I can relate to ever line in that message. It is so very true. The sad part is you don’t realize it when it happens.On day you turn around and you realize that all of those things are gone and you wish you had paid more attention.Young parents think ” I will be so happy when my kids are grown. Don’the ever wish for that because it happens when you aren’t looking.and you are left wondering, where did the time go.Cherish every moment with your children and make as many memories as you can, because there is no going back and starting over.
Joyce – you are a voice of experience! Our home is quiet now and we miss the noise of a full house and all the memories. thank you for your thoughtful comment.