Love Poem: All My Lovely Children
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Written by: Lin Lane

All My Lovely Children

On an early April afternoon, nearly three decades ago I waited to meet my firstborn, but time moved so slow Upon her delivery I heard the lusty sound of her cries It was in that moment, happy tears fell from my eyes Perfect in every way; of course I counted her fingers and toes What's a girl to do if she doesn't have the right number of those A head full of dark ebony hair, rested upon the lass like a crown In my first glimpse of her she'd traded crying for furrowed frown A babe who never caused a stir. Were all babies that good? When my next was born, five years later, then I understood Emphatically not! No two children are ever quite the same Each has their own personality that only he or she can claim My little daughter thought she was also his doting mother Teaching all the things she had learned to her baby brother How quickly they grew between first steps and off to school Each gave a scare with choking; swimming lessons at the pool Mother's who brag on their children can be quite the bore But both graduated from high school and college with honors galore My daughter became a graphic designer, a manager for Triple A Florida is home to her family. Far from me, but a plane ride away She presented me with my only grandchild, a precious little boy Eighteen months of loving him has been eighteen months of joy My son will never leave New Orleans. His roots here run deep He likes hanging with his Mom, and gives me hugs when I weep Communications is his field of work and he's doing very well Recently married, so his baby is a French Bulldog named Belle Both took their time finding great jobs and marriage mates, how smart My two children became four, then five. My grandson stole my heart My happiness has grown through the years, watching them all thrive I'm so proud to be their mother, and I humbly thank God for all five sssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss February 10, 2016 My Lovely Children Contest by Laura Loo