A Sturdy Rocker

A sturdy rocker, back and forth, back and forth,

Baby giggles, tiny hands and feet, goofy faces.

Warm blankets, soft voices, gentle singing,

Frilly pants, big hair bows, little dresses.

 

Sandy feet, frumpled hair and clothes, silly smiles,

Big imaginings, small happenings, girly giggles,

Summer evening baths on the porch, and bubbles.

Big hearts, little hands, lives forming and shaping.

 

School days, lots of reading, mind is shaping,

Write a story, paint a picture, play outside,

Autumn leaves, crisp and crinkly,

Staring out the window, mind a thousand worlds away.

 

Huge changes, many miles, distant friendships

Letters, new friends, growing pains, first crush,

Playing until dark all summer long,

Ice cream cones, climbing trees, silly stories

 

Awkward stage, lots of confusion, funny hair

Boys are weird, but somehow nice, feeling alone

Mom explains, didn’t want to know, don’t dare tell,

Best friends’ secrets, try to fit in, lost in a sea of people.

 

Figure forms . . . when did that happen? Not quite sure

So self-conscious, piano practice late into the night

Begin to wonder what life’s about, begin to try

To take it by the horns and ask it . . .

 

First day of college, awkward meetings, professor greetings,

New friends, try to fit in, try to look just right,

Late nights, homework again and again, caffeine high,

Finals staring me in the face, trying for the best.

 

God’s gentle whispers, prayer and much confusion

Long walks and talks with my best of friends,

Quiet nudging towards something impossible

But who says impossible to God? Not me.

 

Realization that I like him, not sure how I got to there,

Awkward confession, joy and blessing,

A new and different stage, to be sure

The kind of friendship that’s intentional, you know.

 

Long talks, long letters, many prayerful nights,

First time I realize that I’m in love with him

Pent up feelings, raw emotions, blushes,

Feeling like it’s forever, and yet just a moment of time

 

Birthday wishes, surprises, and best of all

A glittering new ring full of promises

Our first kiss, absolute bliss, and the countdown begins

Four months, can I do it? You bet I can.

 

The beautiful day, bright and crisp

Autumn’s glory, red and orange,

Swirling leaves and winding side roads

Big red barn and hay bales

 

A white dress, long and flowing

A filmy vale graces my head and shoulders

Flower bouquets, and beautiful bridesmaids

The moment I’ve dreamt of my whole life

 

Music swirling, people smiling,

Best friend waiting at the end

Praising God, my heart is swelling,

Think it might burst from all this joy inside

 

Vows and rings and all those things

A kiss to seal what’s spoken

Man and wife, a whole new life,

I smile, the outworking of my joyous heart.

 

God made me how he did for you,

And made you just for me

And I wouldn’t change one single thing,

For all my life, to be your wife, is my greatest gift of all.  

 

 

To Joshua

Love, 

Laura Beth  

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