Grow Old

 I wish I could've watched you grow old, 

Watched the skin on your hands wrinkle with adventure, from making food and making memories -

Wish I could've watched the blonde hairs fade to white and gray, with knowledge, grit and grace-

I'd give anything to watch those blue eyes sparkle as you shared stories from your past and our childhood- Unconditional love outpouring with the way you looked at us, your children. 

I wish I could've had sleepovers watching When Harry Met Sally, or You've Got Mail for the 100th time, as we laugh and you dream of true love-

And I'd give anything to belly laugh with you, 'till we cry- over something dumb, that only we could understand. 

I wish you could see 80, I know you'd still drive your red drop top, with matching red lipstick- blasting Prince for all the kids walking to school, to hear and see - absolutely fabulous. 

And I wish I could take you to the grocery store, where the aisles become our runways and stages- where we sing and dance like little kids. 

I wish one day you could meet the daughter that I'll have, and see yourself within her eyes, the way that everyone sees you and Nana in mine- I know you'd feed her ice cream for breakfast, pamper her like a princess, and watch her sleep like an angel as you tickled her back.

How I wish, I could do for you, all that you did for me- and make your days easier as they got hard, but that can never be-

So for now, I count my blessings, 

Cherish every memory,

And know that you're still watching, as I get older, and grow into me.