To My Children

When I spill some food on my nice clean dress, Or maybe forget to tie my shoe, Please be patient and perhaps reminisce About the many hours I spent with you.

When I taught you how to eat with care, Plus tying laces and your numbers, too, Dressing yourself and combing your hair, Those were precious hours spent with you.

So when I forget what I was about to say, Just give me a minute - or maybe two. It probably wasn't important anyway, And I would much rather listen just to you.

If I tell the story one more time, And you know the ending through and through, Please remember your first nursery rhyme When I rehearsed it a hundred times with you. When my legs are tired and it's hard to stand Or walk the steady pace that I would like to do, Please take me carefully by my hand, And guide me now as I so often did for you.
- Anonymous