My friends all said,

"She'll grow so fast,

You'll hardly count the years."

But still I couldn't wait until

You grew out of baby tears.

I wanted you to take a step,

I wanted you to talk,

And learn to run and jump before

The others on the block.

And when you cried and ran to me,

I kissed you better, though

Part of my mind wished for the day

When I could call you grown.

"I'll finally get some housework done,

I'll have some time for me --

I'll have a long talk on the phone

And sip a cup of tea."

And sometimes I was cross with you,

And I said, "Act your age!"

But now those years have come and gone,

Marked only on this page.

I wish now I could turn back time

To your first smiles and tears,

And savor every moment