When the Last One Leaves

With university starting soon for some of our children, this is an appropriate time to repost this poem, originally posted January 28, 2014.









We knew that it was coming;
it has to be this way.
We’re back now where we started,
like on our wedding day.
Between that day and this oe,
we’ve journeyed by God’s grace;
as He increased our number
we ran a rigorous pace.

One son and then another,
born every other year
until they totaled seven;
just boys – but each was dear.
But then there was another,
this time a darling girl;
and talk about excitement!
Life really was a whirl.

Our house? Yes, we enlarged it;
(our bedrooms number six)
and now it seems so empty
as the clock profoundly ticks.
It seems like it is mocking
and says, “What will you do?
They’ve all got up and left you!”
It makes us sort of blue.

Almost forgot to tell you,
they’re not all married off.
The youngest two are single;
their time comes soon enough.
But they just left for college;
it’s much too far away –
Out in yon distant city –
Four hundred miles, I’d say.

Of course we still have “Snoopy,”
a canine – “Man’s best friend,”
so called by earthly standards;
we’ll keep her till her end.
And then, we have each other
to cherish and to hold.
And too, we have rich memories,
more valuable than gold.

The children all are active
at jobs and for the Lord.
That makes it so rewarding –
those years which went quite hard.
There’s one who now is missing;
a higher call he heard.
Two years ago he left us;
we’ve comfort in God’s word.

We have a sincere longing
that they may all succeed
as persons and as families;
their cause in prayer we’ll plead.
We do not ask for riches,
spelled out in earthly wealth,
but treasures great in heaven;
and Lord, please give them health!

We have a new perspective
inclined to view the past,
but no, the future becons;
press on, while life shall last!
Not stifled by past failures,
but cheered by God’s dear word,
we’ll live till heaven’s reunion,
for Jesus Christ, our Lord!

fpn/1976

Photo Credit: Deposit Photos #143392113, Standard license