You offered me advice
but let me decide what to do with it.
You offered me books
so my knowledge might grow
but let me expand it.
You offered me your hand
so I may not fall,
and when I slipped you just held on tighter.
You pointed the way
but let me walk the path.
You dreamed for me
but let me pursue my own dreams.
You have loved me with a love
that lets me be me,
a love that lets me go,
and still you love me.

-- Submitted by Erin from Oshkosh, WI

Lazy little blue-eyed gal
With hair of blond and pretty curls;
Close your eyes and go to sleep
While in your hair, my finger twirls.

Within my arms you feel secure
But I won't always keep you there,
For one day, you will go away
And no longer want my rocking chair.

For now, you're mine, my little one
And I can hold and kiss your cheek;
Tomorrow will see you all grown up
With another's kiss that you will seek.

Grandma's sleepy-eyed angel girl;
Must you grow before my eyes?
I want to keep you close to me
And have you, always, remain this size.

-- Submitted by Gloria Sarasin from Trinity, NC

 "Can we help in the kitchen?"
"Can we watch you cook?"
I'd rather do this myself,
Then I stop and look

 At the innocent faces
So eager to learn.
Selfish, no more,
For now it's their turn.

 Clothes will get dirty,
Dust will appear,
Chores never ending
Year after year.

 One morning the sun will rise,
They'll wake with elation.
For they've grown and matured,
Today is graduation.

 No longer will they need me
To plan their day.
The years must have flown
And now they're on their way.

 Yet I wake from a dream,
Time is on my side.
They're still little angels
Needing me to guide.

 So I say to them,
"I'll play and read books.
I'll teach you to be
Great little cooks."

 For as you grow
And think of your Mother,
Remember my love for you
Is like no other.

-- Submitted by Lauren Swalberg from San Anselmo, CA

My baby child soul has been
Facing the corner
Of a dark room
Alone

And afraid
Of the quiet
Hush

Her mouth feels clamped shut
By her own hand
For fear
Of being
Once again
Unheard and overlooked

And her hand is growing tired
Of holding back that which
Continues to scream and sing from
The hidden within

Until she feels the soft breath
On her shoulder
And realizes

If she turned around
There
Is someone
Standing right behind her
Waiting

Still
And ready
To listen.

-- Submitted by Diana Johnson from Minnetonka, MN

 Puts things in the video that should not be there
Draws on the walls without a care
Throws things over the fence that he can't get
In K-mart he rode a bike off into the sunset

 There's stuff on the couch of one thing or another
Like milk, toothpaste and texta color
With a BBQ tool he chopped holes in the bed
Pulled the curtains down just missing his head

 And into the toaster went a little plastic man
Fire and smoke, quickly turn on the fan
Gets everything wet when he turns on the hose
And with one mighty kick he broke the window

 I shouldn't sit here writing this poem
He is probably now destroying my home
But I shouldn't let this worry me
I must remember he is only three!

 -- Submitted by Virginia Gronow from Wattle Glen

You walked in sunshine
while you were here
You sang with a voice
so loud and clear
You smiled so brightly
it would bring a tear
You laughed so happily
it banished all fear
You were
strong
supportive
kind
loving
warm
responsive
happy
smart
You were at times
my friend
my hero
I'll miss your voice
your words
your hugs
Thank you for the
memories of our time
summers in your garden
Christmases in your home
laughter and love
always
I am richer for knowing you
Vaya Con Dios, Tia

 -- Submitted by Carra Wilmoth from Pearl, MS