The Last Time

 From time to time, an inspirational writing makes the rounds on Facebook, well, maybe not the so much inspirational, as a writing that gives you pause, and causes you to really think. Titled " The Last Time ", I will include it here, in case you've never seen it: 

The Last Time

From the moment you hold your baby in your arms you will never be the same

You might long for the person you were before

When you had freedom and time

And nothing in particular to worry about

You will know tiredness like you never knew it before

Days will run into days that are exactly the same

Full of feedings and burping

Nappy changes and crying

Whining and fighting

Naps or a lack of naps

It might seem like a never-ending cycle

But don’t forget…

There is a last time for everything

There will come a time when you will feed your baby for the very last time

They will fall asleep on you after a long day

And it will be the last time you ever hold your sleeping child

One day you will carry them on your hip then set them down

And never pick them up that way again

You will scrub their hair in the bath for one last time

And from that day on they will want to bathe alone

They will hold your hand to cross the road

Then will never reach for it again

They will creep into your room at midnight for cuddles

And it will be the last night you ever wake to this

One afternoon you will sing “the wheels on the bus” and do all the actions

Then never sing them that song again

They will kiss you goodbye at the school gate

The next day they will ask to walk to the gate alone

You will read a final bedtime story and wipe your last dirty face

They will run to you with arms raised for the very last time.

The thing is, you won’t even know it’s the last time

Until there are no more times. And even then, it will take you a while to realize.

So while you are living in these times, remember there are only so many of them and when they are gone, you will yearn for just one more day of them.

For one last time.

-AUTHOR UNKNOWN

This writing is significant to me, now more then ever. Because not only does it cause me to reminisce of my life with my children, but it makes me think about my life in general, before my stroke. 

The last time I went to work, the last time I drove a car, the last time I held my wife. Certainly those don't have to be my last times, but they could be. And so I drive on, maintaining a positive, yet realistic outlook. Like Casey Kasem used to say, " keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars! "

To keep with the poetry vibe, I thought I would share

IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE 

by Bob Layton 

Each  day more precious than the last, 

you wouldn't understand. 

For soon I'll leave, 

and won't return, 

a memory Left to stand. 

I'll be with you each time you turn, 

you'll swear you saw me there, 

but I'll but be a memory, 

a whisper if you dare. 

So close your eyes and think of me, 

my laughter and my smile. 

And know that we will meet again, 

in just a little while.