Do you remember the moment you said, “I do” and the world became just you two? You had ideas about what the rest of your life as going to be like. Right? You had the dreams, the expectations, and love. You had a sweetheart’s love, your parent’s love–you knew what that was like. However, you didn’t yet have within you that mother love for your child, that mother love that brings something into your life that opened the door to so much more than you dreamed or expected. Did you ever realize a heart could love the way it does, a mother for her child?

My oldest son is getting married in two days. I collected information from family to write a poem about “the rest of your life” after you said, “I do.” I’m trying to muster up courage to print it for the rehearsal dinner. Yes, I know it’s tomorrow night. I’m going to bravely post it and see what you think. Creating a video for the rehearsal dinner is one thing; a poem is definitely another.

What are you doing for the rest of your life?

What are you doing for the rest of your life, Beautiful,” he asked.
“Spending it with you,” she smiled, smiling his favorite smile

Dreams, Expectations, and Love
reshape, re-form
as the rest of your life unfolds

Papaw laughed, saying, “We didn’t know nothing when we got married”
but their house filled with love,
a daughter, a son, twins, 13 grandsons, and great grand children.
Who thought a house
could hold so much love?

“My happiest Days?
A Mama’s Trinity:
babies born,
                          college graduation,
                                                                   and weddings,”
                                                                                                   misty-eyed Grandmama wistful explained.

His mama gladly
put girly, girl dreams aside
to find joy in boys and their toys:
Whoever thought snugglebuggles and Nurf Gun Wars could bring so much joy
or
          Learning to hug
in all the love languages,
the huggable language of each son!

Who knew?
                       his daddy said.
                                                      “Wiffle ball,
                                                                              sock wars,
                                                                                                       and Friday Three Stooge Night
could be so much fun,
                                                or watching soccer
under the moon and the sun.”

“Recitals,
                    Recitals,
                                       Recitals,
color, movement, sound,
my girls dancing,
                                    praising,
anticipating each American Girl season,
 learning, loving, serving the Lord
                                                                     at home and in 3rd world nations,”
mused her mama.

Hide-N-Seek
                          in the dark,
boys sitting on kitchen counter-tops
                                telling stories big and little,
                                                                                      little and big
and laughing,  a joy unanticipated over 30 years ago,”
his Aunt Sherry said said.

Her daddy’s love,
                                     unconditional,
threw pride out the window,
                                                            ballet now hand-in-hand with the NFL,
Pretty Pretty Princess dressed him up in jewelry, too.
Living life with the toilet lid down—

What are you doing for the rest of your life?
You really haven’t a clue
about the wonderful details and moments inside the plan
God has in store for you!
Big and Little
Little and Big