Longing

by Cheryl Merrick

When I had babies,
though I longed for sleep,
I found joy in gooey hugs.

When I had toddlers,
I longed for rest,
but rejoiced in first steps.

When I had school age children,
though I longed for more time,
their excitement became mine.


When they grew to become teenagers,
I longed for more patience,
and felt pride in their accomplishments.

Now as they leave,
to gain more experience for themselves,
though I long to protect them,
I see them growing
as they give of themselves,
and I long for nothing more.