One Day You Will Miss This

As I rocked you back to sleep, 

My eyelids heavier than yours

I thought as the minutes wore on,

“One day you will miss this.”

As you jabbered on and on,

Asking why about every little thing,

I thought as I answered your hundredth question,

“One day you will miss this.”

As we would head outside to play,

To farm all the “fields” and play all the things,

I thought as the sun moved across the sky,

“One day you will miss this.”

As we sat down after the sun had set

With a book and you in my lap,

I thought as we read Cowboy Small for the upteenth time in a row,

“One day you will miss this.”

As I drove you back and forth,

From one practice to another

I thought as I waited for you to come out the door,

“One day you will miss this.”

As you wrestled with your brother,

All the hollering and noise,

I thought as I tried to get you to stop,

“One day you will miss this.”

As I hurried to get out of school,

With a gym, field, or court as the destination

I thought as I watched you play all those games,

“One day you will miss this.”

As you walked across the stage tonight

A list of accomplishments a mile long,

I thought as my heart swelled with pride and love,

“I’m glad I didn’t miss this.”