In these eyes of ageing years,
I still see you as an active little boy,
Racing around the house,
Playing with your toys.

Gathering up your fishing poles,
Going down to the creek,
Gonna catch a mess of fish,
You did this once a week.

Wandering along a narrow path,
Following a friend so dear,
Staying close to your buddy,
Always wanting the other near.

My precious little darling child,
I watched you grow into a man,
From the tiny tot upon my knee,
To an adult in full command.

I watch as you play with your son,
And memories quickly replay,
Your Daddy playing with you,
Seems like only yesterday.

You have reached a time in life,
Where you now fill the part,
Of a parent watching a child,
And love overwhelms the heart.

One day you too will walk,
In the path of memory lane,
Wishing with all your heart,
To live those days again.

I will e'er remember watching the child,
And the branches of life you've swung,
But in my heart today and ever more,
You'll continue to be..... Forever Young!
© Gayle Davis

 I know every mother will find this poem touching her heart and bringing back memories just as I have. One thing about memories ... they are always there, hidden away in our subconscious only waiting to be brought into the sunlight so we can once again bask in their warmth. So often as we grow older, and perhaps more sentimental, we do tend to luxuriate in happy thoughts of the years when our children were young and carefree. Perhaps it has more than a little to do with the fact that we also were very young and so full of hope for their futures.

In retrospect all those times when we were so busy, and too often rushed through those moments which now tug at our heart strings, are so much more precious. I know I wish often that I could go back for only an hour or two and  relive those early years with the appreciation they deserved at the time.  Certainly I enjoyed watching my little boy as he made each new discovery or tried each new adventure but always taking for granted that time would move slowly and there would always be another day perhaps when more time would be available to give it and him the attention both so richly deserved.

But time is never our handmaiden. It travels at its own pace and invariably moves much more quickly than we might prefer. All those baseball games, hockey games, school plays, skinned knees, or moments when a hug from Mommy was needed to comfort and wipe away tears are now only distant memories. Those early morning fishing trips with Daddy while Mommy caught up on housework or just  spent quiet 'me' time always bring a smile remembering how excited that wee boy always was at spending 'man time' with his Dad. The quiet times together which we cherished so much but which at times had to be crammed into busy schedules are all tucked away in memory banks to be drawn upon when needed but those blessed days are gone forever. 

But there is one consolation. Memories can bring back those moments at will. And in our hearts they are as fresh as if they had only just occurred. To each of us the man we now see is always that little boy you loved with every fibre of your being so long ago. He hasn't gone away ... he has only moved on to fulfil the destiny which is his. We had our day .. now it is his.