Patriot Moms

Submitted by Barb Stewart
Providence mom and teacher

I wrote this poem years ago when my children were very small and I would sometimes dream of days that were uneventful and quiet. I came to realize that those days would come soon enough, but we can never get back the days when our children are small. Enjoy every moment and make the most of every day. You won't regret it. - Barb

No Regret

Silence filled the room as I awoke this morning.
My sleep had been restful- no fussy babies to tend to, no sick children to care for.
I felt relaxed and comfortable just lying there in bed listening to the stillness.
Slowly I crept out of bed.
There were no breakfasts to quickly make or piles of laundry to wash.
Today would be a slow relaxing day.
A day with no schedule to keep, no soccer practice, gymnastics, or swim meets.
Nothing to interrupt the solitude of the day.
My house was neat and tidy.
Every book in its place, no toys to stumble over on the way out the door.
As I slowly began preparing for the day, the quiet somehow annoyed me.
There were no noises of play, shouts of victory or cries of defeat.
No battles to referee, no giggles or squeals of delight.
There was nothing, only silence.

It seemed only yesterday I was busy taking care of children.
All the duties and responsibilities sometimes wore me out and I would be short tempered.
How many times I snapped, "Pick up your toys!"
I regret those times now,
I wish I had been more patient, more understanding of a child's mind.
I wish I would have picked up one of the many strewn books and sat down for a story and a hug.
I wish I would have enjoyed the noise of play rather than yelling, "Quiet down!"
I wish I had done some things differently.
But, I was so busy taking care of my children, that I felt I rarely had time to
just be with my children.
To just sit and talk
or watch a butterfly
or play in the sprinkler.
Now, I have time, but all that is left is silence... and regret.

My thoughts raced.
I never wanted to end up like this.
-Old and alone without even happy memories to keep me company.
Why didn't I see what was happening?
My heart began to ache and as the ache traveled up my throat and tears washed down my cheeks, I heard the silence broken by a cry,
a cry of regret...

Suddenly, I sat up, my face wet from tears, my heart pounding.
There it was again, a cry.
It was the baby,
she must be having a bad dream.
I rushed out of bed to her room and held her close.
I stroked her hair and prayed for her
and soon she fell back into a peaceufl sleep.
As I sat there watching her, I prayed, "Thank you Lord!
Thank you Lord for interrupted sleep and for the priviliege of comforting a fearful heart. Thank you Lord!"

We enjoyed time getting to know each other, and learned some very interesting information about each other. Some of us were so interesting, we even won prizes!