In a Blink of an Eye

Written for my oldest child at graduation

In a Blink of an Eye


Time goes by so quickly
I want to hold on
And keep the minute there
The minute of your birth
When we were so afraid you wouldn’t breathe
We couldn’t breathe until you did.
The tiny thin stick of a child
Who held all our hopes and dreams
Within her frail body.

The infant that cooed and smiled
Squeezing our hearts and making us
Smile in return.
Even at 11 o’clock on a “school day.”
Turning over, finally on video for Daddy.
Walking when an empty living room
In a new house presented itself.

The beautiful little girl
That could go anywhere, adults and children alike.
Who talked and talked and talked.
Who showed us a new world through
Her eyes.

The big sister and potty training.
We swore you’d wear diapers
To high school.
But you didn’t. (Thank God!)
Pool parties and sleepovers. 
Hair cuts and dressing up.

School ups and downs.
Years with homework and programs,
Photos of smiling classes and concerts.
Teachers, all a moment, no more.
Watching and loving you always,
Even when you swear I didn’t.
Or didn’t love me.