TRACY AT SIX

This is a throwback post from my daughter's childhood and my poetry writing phase. This one really grabbed me; Tracy's daughter...my youngest granddaughter...is now ten. Not only do I see similarities between the two of them, I also realize I knew at age six she would become the strong, creative, confident woman she is today! This is for you Pumpkin!

                                                                                                   

                                                     

       

   Tracy learned to ski today

    So confidently and free.

              I watched her from the window

       And pride began to flow.

      She sang her favorite songs

             As she moved easily along.

Down a little hill; no fall

                  Eyes always to the windowsill

        Making sure Mom saw it all!

       This child of six is mine.

She is growing, changing, running out of time

                     To be my little girl, my little one.

Tracy learned to read today,

Such eagerness, such curiosity.

She is our independent one

Full of strength and versatility.

At six she seems so sure, so aware

Of who she is, and why, and where.

She'll not be walked on in life; indeed

Her character is tough...and stubborn as a weed!

What pride and accomplishment she feels

Blending sounds and letters into something real.

Can I still hold this little one upon my lap

To read stories; did I do enough of that?

Tracy learned to wait today.

To wait her turn, to share, not hit.

Such hurriedness, such energy, such wit.

"Wait a minute" we always say, but patience

Is unknown

To six year olds who want it now;

A cookie, mom's attention, how to use the phone.

Throw a fit, cry, off to her room

Waiting can be okay she thinks.

As long as it's pretty soon!

I look at this child from us-

Clever, creative, so humorous.

And I really like her; a like as great as love.

My little girl, my daughter, myself.

Joan Stommen  1979