One Tiny CHEERIO

Storybooks and Grandchildren
make otherwise slow Days
run faster than me
As I try catching
Moments
to slow them down
While I memorize dimples
in tiny hands and
smile sparkles
in child eyes.

I didn’t cry when they left
this time
I am becoming quite a normal person
(Finally.)
I gave hugs and waved
and Told them to hurry back.
I watched until the cars became dots
on the horizon and thought
how very controlled I was
To tuck this memory into
My heart and still
Go back into the house
With a snippet
Of dignity
At the sight of tail lights
Disappearing down the drive.
(Unlike times before)
when I required A bath towel
and a timeout…

In fact I was like a normal
Person for most of the day.
Folded laundry,
straightened a Few things
Here
And
There
Thought about dinner
could use the leftovers
should call so and so
About such and such…
But later in the day
I pulled out one of the dining room chairs
to vacuum
under the table,
My insides burst
into a flood
that carried all resolve
and normal and okay and fine... away.
Tears came trickling
from as far away
as the cars and flights
that have taken my grandchildren...

and all at the sight
of one
teeny,
tiny,
precious
cheerio.