Rearranging Lives

There are so many things I miss in my life—

Like how good I was at being a mom and wife.

If only my husbands had been good back,

Instead of leaving me with all the slack.

I cooked and cleaned and kept laundry done,

I organized life and family fun.

Holidays, birthdays, and schooldays flew by.

Where’d the time go? I wonder with a sigh...

I miss when my babies were all safe at home,

I never had to worry where they would roam.

I’d tuck them in at night in their beds,

Give them all a kiss on their heads.

A crying baby I’d rock in the night,

Or intervene in a sibling fight,

Or get woken up early because they’re ready to eat—

Those were my problems when each day was a treat.

The house that we lived in was a home filled with love.

We all fit together so perfectly—like a hand in a glove.

I knew that someday it would all change,

I thought it would just slightly rearrange.

I knew someday they’d have to grow up,

But then kids of their own would refill my cup.

That “someday” of change seemed so far away,

So far in the future—nothing to care about today.

There were skinned knees and tummy aches,

Arts and crafts time and days at the lakes.

Needing mommy to kiss it all better,

Learning to read and write each alphabet letter.

Then it was video games and late nights,

Hanging with friends and weekend date nights.

Broken hearts that Mom couldn’t mend,

Getting grounded, testing rules that would bend.

All of a sudden, they were learning to drive,

Feeling like grown-ups, ready to thrive.

Spreading their wings to fly from the nest,

Time to build their own lives and try their best.

Now I wonder how the years went so fast,

Wishing time would rewind back to the past.

That “someday” that seemed so far away—

In the blink of an eye, it became my today.

Instead of a slight rearranging of life,

My whole world changed, and it cut like a knife.

I didn’t handle it well and fell completely apart.

No one could mend my broken heart.

The days were suddenly filled with silence so loud,

Nobody around to tell them I’m proud.

No homework to help with or papers to sign—

They were all building their lives and doing just fine.

Being a mom is who I was, what my whole world was built upon.

I never imagined I’d ever need more, never thought about life when they’d be gone.

My job was to raise them to be the best they could be—

I’m proud to say they are far beyond better than me.

While I was teaching them, they were teaching me more.

I gave all of myself to watch their wings spread and soar.

I guess through it all, as a mom, I must be a success—

The lives that they’ve built will certainly attest.

They grew up strong, independent, honest, and kind.

Still, I wish those years could rewind.

They no longer need me in order to thrive,

But without them, I just barely survive.

I’m telling you what nobody told me:

Being a mom can’t be all that you be.

“Mom” should be only a part of who you are,

Because someday comes quickly, though right now seems far.

You’ll blink your eyes, and they’ll be grown and gone—

You’ll be lost in the dark, wishing for dawn.

Left trying to figure out who you are all alone,

While they are so busy living, they can’t even phone.

By Simple Sue

From: United States