Out of the Mouths of Babes

Today I was sitting on the curb with a 4 year old. She wondered what fun things I might have in my purse. As I showed her how boring my purse has become, I told her I didn't carry too many fun things. She said, "Mommy does." I said, "Yes, I used to carry crayons and books and gum for my little girls too; thats what mommiess do." Very astutely the four year old reminded me that I was a mommy too. Then I explained that my little girls were grown up now and could carry their own purses. In an instant the 4 year old said, "One of your girls is in heaven now--Miss Megan." Then she took my hand and said, "I miss her; I wish she'd come back." To which I could only reply, "Me too baby, me too..."

Not my words, just my feelings

I ran into this poem today and it spoke so deeply to my heart:

Room Full of Memories

I walk into your vacant room.
A slight fragrance of you remains
haunting the air like an icon
on the pages of my memories.
All your personal possessions are gone,
here where I watched you bloom.




Leafing through chapters, my heart sighs.
What good times we shared along with bad.
I see you there, a charming baby,
then as the pages turn quickly
you're a high school beauty having fun.
I can't stop the tears flowing from my eyes.


Joy and pain stored as souvenirs,
guilt and pleasure mixed together.
If I could only change the print
I'd erase our foolish mistakes.
I lay aside the memory book.
Life consists of laughter and tears.



Parenting has come to an end
and how I lament its passing.
I shall miss sitting on your bed
talking with you in the evening,
rubbing your back and stroking your head-
but you are leaving as my friend.



--Judy A. Barnes