If I Could Keep You Little...

When the girls started another year of school this year, I was the typical mom grieving over summer's end and children growing too fast.  It was an especially tender time 'cuz my little Andi was starting Kindergarten.  Ever since she's been born, she has been my 24/7 pal, my purpose, my saving angel, and my best friend.  We've been through a lot together in her short five years.
So when I found this book, I took note. 
It says:

If I could keep you little, I'd hum you lullabies.
But then I'd miss you singing your concert's big surprise.
If I could keep you little, I'd hold your hand everywhere.
But then I'd miss you knowing, "I can go...you stay there."
If I could keep you little, I'd kiss your cuts and scrapes.
But then I'd miss you learning from your own mistakes.
If I could keep you little, I'd strap you in real tight.
But then I'd miss you swinging from your treetop height.
If I could keep you little, I'd decide on matching clothes.
But then I'd miss you choosing dots on top and stripes below.
If I could keep you little, I'd cut your bread into shapes.
But then I'd miss you finding, "Hey!  I like ketchup with my grapes!"
If I could keep you little, I'd tell you stories every night.
But then I'd miss you reading the words you've learned by sight.
If I could keep you little, I'd push you anywhere.
But then I'd miss you feeling your speed from here to there!
If I could keep you little, I'd pick for you a friend or two.
But then I'd miss you finding friends you like who like you, too!
If I could keep you little, we'd finger-paint our art.
But then I'd miss you creating stories from your heart.
If I could keep you little, I'd push your ducky float.
But then I'd miss you feeling the wind behind the summer's boat.
If I could keep you little, we'd nap in our fort midday.
But then I'd miss you sharing adventures from camp far away.
If I could keep you little, I'd fly you with my feet.
But then I'd miss you seeing sky and clouds from your seat.
If I could keep you little, I'd keep you close to me.
But then I'd miss you growing into who you're meant to be!
--Marianne Richmond

I love this poem...Such a good reminder of why our children have to grow.  If there's one thing I'd change about it, though, I don't think I'd put in those last two lines.  I still think a child and grow into who they're meant to be even while keeping "you close to me." 
You hear that, girls?  Let's stay close. 
:)