Let Me Hold You Longer

Bedtime stories were read...night time prayers were said.  The princess had been tucked in.  While sitting beside her, in her sweet voice Hallie said, "Mommy?  Will you hold me like a baby?"  I melted.  My answer was "of course".  Then another question..."Mommy?  Will you sing me a song?"  So I began singing the very simple and sweet lullaby I wrote for her when she was just a tiny thing and I was rocking her to sleep.

My beautiful girl, you are my world.

I love you so completely.

Those fingers and toes--oh Heaven knows...I love you so completely.

You are mine.  And I am yours.

My beautiful girl, you are my world. 

As I sang my heart to her, she drifted into her little land of dreams.  Tears prickled my eyes as I realized I couldn't remember the last time I had actually sang and rocked my little girl to sleep.  I was sitting on the bed, holding her...my arms were going numb and my back was aching.  But I just wanted to hold her a little longer.

Then I was reminded of the sweetest book my cousin Stephanie gave me at a baby shower for Hallie--Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury.  It is a precious book...and a wonderful reminder that before I know it, I won't even be able to hold my little girl in my lap.  The book is written from a mother's view point.  It is actually of her and her son...but so much of it is still applicable.  

Let Me Hold You Longer

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts; first smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.  But one day you will move way and leave me to your past, and I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips.  The last time I lifted you and held you on my hip.

The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked, when last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold.  The last time that you said you'd marry me (Daddy) when you grew old.  Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past--would I have held on longer if I'd known they were your last?

One last adventure to the park, your final midday nap, the last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.

The last few hours of kindergarten, those last days of first grade, your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made.

I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed.  So what about tomorrow--will I recognize your lasts?

The last time that you catch a frog in that old backyard pond.  The last time that you run barefoot across our fresh-cut lawn.  Silly, scattered images will represent your past.  I keep on taking pictures, never quite sure of your lasts...

The last time that I comb your hair or stop a pillow fight.  The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.  The last time when we cuddle with a book, just me and you.  The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.

The last piano lesson, last vacation to the lake.  Your last few weeks of middle school, last soccer goal you make.  I look ahead and dream of days that haven't come to pass.  But as I do, I sometimes miss today's sweet, precious lasts...

The last time that I help you with a math or spelling test.

The last time when I shout that yes, your room is still a mess.  The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there.  The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered bear.

My life keeps moving faster, stealing precious days that pass.  I want to hold on longer--want to recognize your lasts...

The last time that you need my help with details of a dance.  The last time that you ask me for advice about romance.

The last time that you talk to me about your hopes and dreams.  The last time that you wear a jersey for your high school team.  

I've watched you grow and barely noticed seasons as they pass.  If I could freeze the hands of time, I'd hold on to your lasts.

For come some bright fall morning, you'll be going far away.  College life will beckon in a brilliant sort of way.  One last hug, one last good-bye, one quick and hurried kiss.  One last time to understand just how much you'll be missed.  I'll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.

Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.