To Mary...In Your Senior Year Poem by Tracy Craighead

It's so very hard, writing this to you,
senior well-wishes
bring a tear in my eye and magnify
that your time
in high school is almost through,
So, as I say, this is hard for me
but you have given so much
in your 18 years, that my selfish plea
for a few more moments, is simply greed

You were the last of my four babies
all my children, two years apart.
Never a moment to breathe,
going back to the start.
So, my love, I was very afraid
when I told your father
that you were on the way,
but my fears were a mere waste of time.
As I would come to see
God had given you
as a special gift, to your dad... and to me

You were an easy baby, as you had to be
coming so quickly after three.
You talked and laughed
and entertained me.
Your imagination opened up my
world and somehow set me free
I, in turn, let you be
whatever your mind desired to see.
A different character everyday
a princess, a warrior, a puppy at play
I realized, after watching my other children grow,
that fantasy
and fearlessness are often let go
and soon you could not wear
a costume each day,
that this time with you is precious and brief
to savor each moment,
dreading that day of relief

I feel as if I have been on the sidelines
watching you, enjoying you,
each moment with you is brand new.
You are unique and perfect
in your every way.
I thank God for listening to my prayers
for he certainly knew
when he softly whispered
,
"wait a minute, Garry and Tracy,
…….this one is just for you'