Last week in my inaugural Soul-Feeding Sunday post, I shared that I am striving to slow down and take in as much of this precious time with my kiddos as possible while they are small. I was touched beyond measure when a lovely reader (thank you, Sharlyn!) posted the following poem in the comments in response to that post. The message of this poem resonated with me so deeply that I wanted to share it with y’all here today.
There are always dishes and laundry to be done. There are always going to be meals that need preparing or floors that need scrubbing. But if you happen to darken the doors of my home and discover things in a state of disarray, try first to find me in the nursery. Because, after all, those things will always be there. But sadly, babies don’t keep.
May you be blessed by these verses as much I have this week!
Song for a Fifth Child
by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton
by Ruth Hulbert Hamilton
Mother, O Mother, come shake out your cloth,
Empty the dustpan, poison the moth,
Hang out the washing, make up the bed,
Sew on a button and butter the bread.
Where is the mother whose house is so shocking?
She’s up in the nursery, blissfully rocking.
Oh, I’ve grown as shiftless as Little Boy Blue, lullaby, rockabye, lullaby loo.
Dishes are waiting and bills are past due
Pat-a-cake, darling, and peek, peek-a-boo
The shopping’s not done and there’s nothing for stew
And out in the yard there’s a hullabaloo
But I’m playing Kanga and this is my Roo
Look! Aren’t his eyes the most wonderful hue?
Lullaby, rockaby lullaby loo.
The cleaning and scrubbing can wait till tomorrow
But children grow up as I’ve learned to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs; Dust go to sleep!
I’m rocking my baby and babies don’t keep.
Happy Sunday, friends!
Having grown up in a home brimming with sewing notions and paintbrushes, Amy has a deep love for all things creative. On any given day, you’ll find her knee-deep in her latest creative endeavor, with projects ranging from sewing and crafts to home decor and kid-friendly ideas. Amy believes that everyone, regardless of skill level or experience, possesses the ability to create something beautiful, and Positively Splendid was born of her passion for helping others harness their innate creative potential.
Thank you for this sweet reminder.
LOVE this!!!
So very true! I posted today about my desire to unplug and reconnect with things I love and of course my baby boy. Time flies!
Love that poem! Thanks for the reminder.
When I was growing up my mom had this embroidered on the wall. I have always loved it!
I have always heard the end of that poem but not the whole thing. It is lovely. I enjoy reading your posts on motherhood. We have finished our family with baby number 4 as well, and they do grow up so fast.
I have read that poem several times in the years that I was an at home mom with a messy house!! A friend of mine told me that the children grow up while we are doing the dishes.
It’s true.
I’m glad you are making your family your priority. The world will be a better place for it.
Terri
http://www.beyond-relevance.com
Oh Amy, we are for sure Soul Sisters! I too have been trying to do everything I can to SLOW life down and enjoy my babies because I blinked and my oldest started Kindergarten this year. I truly want to soak up as much time with them as I can because it goes WAY too fast. Thank you for this poem. It brought me to tears (in a good way) and i loved it.
XOXO,
Tam
AMEN, AMEN, AMEN!!! I also want to add my motto “NO ONE dies and says they wished they had cleaned more! And that baby, oh I wish you lived next door and I could come and cuddle that little one!:)