The time has passed so swiftly by;
where have the years flown to?
Since I heard your very first cry
and was the first to hold you.

As I look back on childhood days
and then to teenage years-
I remember sharing in many ways,
our thoughts, ambitions, joys and tears.

I remember when you began to talk-
and the Thanksgiving day you started to walk.
All the Easter egg hunts and the Halloweens
and the birthday that you turned thirteen.

There are no more Easter eggs to dye
or costume parties on Halloween-
no more sugar and spice or kites to fly-
no more baby kittens to wean.

Annie remains forever young-
but not so real little girls-
childhood days are too soon done-
stolen away as time unfurls.

Cabbage Patch Kids and let’s pretend
give way to wedding rings-
I always knew that these must end-
bitter-sweet memories each now brings.

The happy highways where once we went
and can come again nevermore-
the land of childhood innocence
is forever now a closed door.