When the Little Hand Left Mine

When the Little Hand Left Mine At first I held your tiny hand, wrapped around my finger, And though you drifted off to sleep, the breath of you would linger. When you gazed into my eyes, a bond embraced my heart; I knew in this lifetime and the next, never would we part. As you grew, I took careful care to teach you right from wrong. I gifted you with sun and swings, and your body, too, grew strong. I answered all the questions I could and wiped away many tears. I allowed you to find rest with me when imminent nightmares reared. I got down on your level, with puzzles, books and toys. I loved your laughter when it danced in my heart of many joys. When struggles found you, as they often did, I'd guard you with all my might. And if your precious life was threatened, you'd watch your mother fight. Mostly, we knew serenity; you had more friends than foe, But your little heart was hungry; there was much you needed to know. I was your teacher then and now, and the tender of all your needs, Your questions came more often, though, like searching, grasping weeds. We watched the stars together and comets dash through night's air. You snuggled close to the warmth of my body, without a worldly care. I taught you of God and the universe and the new life on the rise. Often I saw a flicker of hope dash through your awestruck eyes. I taught you many, many things; we shared experiences together. But, if someone said one day you'd leave, I'd always tell them, "Never!" You grew into a wonderful being, happy and so full of heart. A measure of myself had entered you that I knew would never part. But, part we did, you and I; the day had come way too fast. I wasn't yet ready to let you fly; I thought my time to last. You took my tiny hand in yours, now much larger than my own, And whispered words of love, telling me soon you would come home. We embraced, our tears enmeshed, you now dabbed my tears away, You told me you were not really leaving me, and would return one day. A half a year had come and gone when the knock came at the door. You had come home, as promised, stronger and wiser than before. You said my teachings had helped you through many a troubling time. And that you could never forget, me, nor this heart of mine. "You are my mother, our bond is strong; we will never really part. "Your love and what you've gifted me are etched deep within my heart." I found much comfort in your words, as now you tended me. This is the journey, part of the walk, but together we'll always be. And though your tiny hand left mine to find your place in life, The pain inside my heart has dulled like a broken, useless knife. So, yes it's true, we didn't part, as I had believed before. I know this deep within my heart, when your knock sounds at my door.This was my "good-bye" poem to my 6'5" tall son when he entered the Air Force. But, it's never really good-bye, yet a parent knows a strange emptiness for awhile, but as he develops and strives and succeeds, I see he's ready for the world. He's a good kid, and we have a very unique bond that's going to produce very interesting results down the road. I love you, Miah . . . Mom a.k.a. kvwriter Written August 15th, 2001 © on Feb 14 2002 08:27 AM PST, Kelly Varner Johnson   0 • 1