By Pat Davis
I had so much time in my life
My youth seemed to spread before me eternally
I saw challenges, mountains to be climbed
Quests that in my youth I thought I would make
But life had so many demands
My boss never stopped to understand me
Sometimes congratulating me
Sometimes denigrating me
But never stopping to understand me
I had many goals to accomplish
Miles to stride through
And the dark truth is....
That I accomplished most of them
Why is it at the end of my life. . .
That I only remember what I didn’t do
And seldom that which I did do
I never took the time to watch the roses grow
My wife with her eyes so loving and surrendering
Waiting and watching so patiently for me
My daughters in their blonde curls
Waiting and watching for their busy father
Who always seemed busy accomplishing
Now I reach the end of my life
Now do I ask
Where did all my time go?
I never took the time to watch the roses grow.
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3 comments:
Daddy,
I'm sitting here in my prep period getting caught up on blogging and your poem totally made me cry! How will I explain that if someone walks in my room right now?
I want you to know that I consider myself very lucky to have been the daughter of a teacher whom I got to spend three straight months with every year! Some of my favorite early memories involve me wedged between you and the back of the couch with a pile of sunflower seeds on my chest. I would watch the way you put them in your mouth handfuls at a time and would mimic you (I can now imagine the mess I must have made of the couch with all my slobbery shells!). Book in hand, sunflower seeds on chest, Dad at my side. Life was good.
Of course I had a special connection with Mom, too--Dad's just don't understand the magic that comes from making Barbie clothes or baking "Lizard food". But I am immensely grateful for a dad who let me tag along in a way that I think a lot of girls miss.
So now I have to go to the restroom and make sure my mascara hasn't smeared. :)
Love you.
Danielle,
Poetry is supposed to do that to you, so I guess I am moderately successful if you have given that reaction. But why is it that I am tearing up at your sweet reply? Thanks,
Dad
I want to echo what Deb said at OneBeggarsBread...that I look forward to getting to stop and smell the roses with you (and Mom!!) for a long time yet. :)
Love ya.
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