Skinned knees and dirty hands,
Chocolate mustaches and powdered sugar smiles.
Mornings snuggled under blankets, giggling at silly jokes.
Afternoons sneaking cookie dough,
Nights spent lost in storybooks.
Legs pumping, squeals of laughter echoing,
Faces turned toward the sun, wind swirling, hair spinning.
“Higher mommy, higher!”
“Hold tight”
Swinging away and toward my heart.
Days passed by so quickly.
Knees healed, faces washed,
Snuggles become quick hugs when no one is looking.
The aroma of fresh, baked cookies fade away,
Storybooks set aside, gathering dust.
Homecomings are short, rare.
Living out of suitcases, closets bare.
Waiting up late, still hanging onto mommy worry.
Moving forward as friends,
Hugs and giggles find their way back.
Skinned knees and dirty hands,
Butterfly kisses for grandma.
Cookies and storybooks, naps and fairytales,
Holding hands, walks in the park.
Swinging high, legs pumping, squeals of laughter echoing.
Thin spiral notebook 
Beautiful, Tara. Love the pic too, but the words…gorgeous. I wish I had your talent.
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Wow! Wonderfully written, and while I’m in the Mommy phase now, I know the days fly quickly and soon I’ll be missing the snuggle time, wiping runny noses, and kissing skinned knees…
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I really wish it were warm enough to go play with my kids in the park right now. That is so beautiful and heartfelt. I’m still in the snuggle stage right now, but I know that isn’t here for much longer. I can’t wait until you’re a grandma – you’ll be an awesome one!
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I’m not completely out of the “Mommy” phase, although it’s certainly passed with the oldest. And I won’t be in the “Grandma” phase for many, many years — knock on wood — so this really hits me hard.
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I love this Tara…certainly tugs at a few heartstrings. The circle of life….it comes around again, you know. ~Joy
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I love that you are coming full circle with your kids. It’s a pretty awesome feeling as a kid too 🙂
LOVE the photo!
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OMG. That was beautiful. This brings tears to my eyes. I am right there, exactly in the place you’re describing.
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Know this one well. I could have written it. Tell you something, though. My kids are all over the age we once believed to be “old.” The “mommy worries” never stop. My daughter will occasionally call and say, “Just wanted you to know that I’m not in a ditch.”
P.S. Great picture.
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