Mama said there would be days like this,
when there would be so many things that I would miss…
Like a noisy house and kids to pry out of bed,
and complete chaos as I try to get everyone fed…
Like tears to wipe and runny noses to blow,
and 7000 errands and places to hurry up and go…
Like toys left out in the middle of the floor,
and hundreds of unnecessary trips to the store…
Like sloppy wet kisses and squeezing tight hugs
and all of those annoying “when you’re busy” tugs…
Like the constant and never-ending question of WHY,
and the endless task at times of making them not cry…
Like a mountain of laundry that never seems to end,
and sitting at night with a stack of it to mend…
Like listening to a child read his lesson for the night,
and listening to them as they argue and fight…
Like explaining to them for the millionth time,
Why we have rules and why it is important to mind…
Mama was right, there is so much that I do miss,
And so many days I wish for just one more kid kiss…
But my kids are all gone and have kids of their own,
It’s hard to imagine at times they really are grown and gone…
But on days like this, I simply take time to myself,
and pull out my box of photos and cards from the shelf…
And as I gaze at the pictures and read the words written to me,
I can see the trail of a wonderful journey and my family tree…
Yes, I miss so many things these days,
the laughter, the chaos, and the love that they gave…
But life goes on, and people fall away,
As I grow older and grayer, I miss the old days…
Mama said there would be days like this…
When there would be so many, and so much I would miss…

JBodie ‘26