In honor of Mother's Day, a reminder...

This is actually a book, by Karen Kingsbury.
So much focus is put on a childs "firsts"... but, we should also try to recognize and savor the often fleeting "lasts"... those milestone that so easily go unrecorded:

Long ago you came to me,
a miracle of first:
First smils and teeth and baby steps,
a sunbeam on the burst.
But one day you will move away
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 that 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
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?

Our last adventure in the park
your final mid day nap
The last time when you wore your favorite
faded baseball cap?

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

I never said goodbye 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, sometimes I miss
todays 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 highschool 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.