The Person You’ve Become…

Dedicated to David, on the occasion of his 18th birthday!

I knew where you went and I knew who you were
I knew how you felt – before you grew bigger.

My baby, my boy, my sweet bundle of joy –
You were so easy to please when you played with your toys.

I held onto your hand and you walked by my side
You jumped in my arms with a smile oh so, so wide.

I carried you, sang to you, watched on as you grew
And I knew that one day these moments would grow few.

I watched and I waited and hugged on while I could
I loved you whole-heartedly as any mother should.

But the pebble had dropped and the ripple spread wide
As your life it unfolded with time on your side.

I measured your progress through life as it came
Through sports and through school and through each of your games.

The ripple grew wider as every day passed
And I knew this day would come upon me too fast.

Here you stand – my sweet baby boy –
No longer happy to simply just play with that toy.

The time it has come for me to let go –
And give you the courage and strength that you know

I hold for you always as you go on your way –
Into adulthood, independence, and have your own say.

What a miracle I’ve watched from your moment of birth –
There’s been no time to languish – no time to rehearse.

Yet – what perfection there is in your kindness and smile –
Still I hate that you beat me in chess once in a while.

You’re talented, unique, creative, and often wise –
And the hearts you can break with those Arctic – blue eyes!

If I could just see through that lens to your soul –
To know what awaits you, to see how life unfolds!

But, my eyes are now bleary as I move further away –
And though gladly I do so – I wish that one day…

My ripple return as I come back into view –
And our paths cross again with the boy I once knew.

Who are you now that you’ve grown up so far –
That there are times when I have to borrow my own car!

My gift to you, son, on your eighteenth birthday –
Is to hug you with words and with words I will say…

“You are my heart and my soul, and the life that I bake –
Happy birthday, sweet David, may that cat lick your cake!”