Let Me Hold You Longer

Even at two my little man loves for his mama to hold him and what a delight it is. Tonight before bed time we were ready our many books that Ezekiel has and as a teacher I thought- this is great he is learning about books and as a mom I held on to the moment of holding him as we enjoyed a good book. Each time we finished reading our books Ezekiel would say, "Good story!" It reminded me of a book we have that I read to Ezekiel sometimes and most of the time I cannot read it without a tear.

Let Me Hold You Longer

by Karen Kingsbury

Long ago you came to me

a miracle of firsts

First smiles and teeth and baby steps

a sunbeam on the burst.

But one day you will move away

and leave to me your past

And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your last...

The last time that I held a bottle to yoru baby lips.

The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying needing to be walked,

When last you crawled up with your blanket wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me still small enough to hold

The last thme that you said you'd marry me when you grew old.

Precious, simple moments and bright flashed from your past-

Would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?

Our last summer adventure to the partl

your final midday nap

The last time when you word your favorite faded baseball cap.

Your last few hours of kindergarten,

those last days of first grade

Your last at bat in Little League

last colored picture made

I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed

So what about tomorrow

will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog

in that old backyard pond.

The last time that you run barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn.

Silly, scatterred images will represent your past

I keep on taking pictures never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight

The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night

The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you

The last time you jumo in our bed and sleep between us two

The last piano lesson

last vacation to the lake

Your last few weeks of middle school

last soccer goal you make

I look ahead and dream of days that haven's come to pass

But as I do, I sometimes miss today's sweet precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test

The last time when I shout that yes your room is still a mess

The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there

The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious day that pass

I want to hold on longer- want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need me help with details of a dance,

The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams

The last time the you wear a jersey for your high school team

I've watch you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass

If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning

you'll be going far away

College life will beckon in a brillant sort of way

One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss

One last time to understand just how much you will be missed

I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed

Let me hold on longer, God to every precious last.

As each day goes by my son gets bigger and bigger. He is learning things so fast now in this world he lives in. How to open the door, how to put puzzles together. May I always hold on to his precious moments- As I am writing I am looking at my couch pillows that are thrown everywhere in the living room - by a sweet two year old that find it so amuzing! (I just hope that is not his last!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)