Cherishing Moments

Coo COO coop
coo COO coop
coo COO coop

Hollow calls issue forth from the milky grey breast of a ring necked dove perched on the wire high above me. An answer echos back to him from the neighbor's tree. Coo COO coop...

Their exchange continues as I watch my girls run around in the grass of our backyard. The world around us is green and full of blossoms. White petals flutter down in a swirling shower with every breeze that passes through our apple trees. Overhead, seagulls circle and scream. They are pearly specks soaring in the sunlight high, high above us, their white wings flashing against the deep blue rain clouds which have not yet broken. The sky is brilliant, dazzling azure behind the woolly clouds. Laughter rings out across the grass and the air in which these giggles hang, to me forever suspended, is fresh and sweet. New life.

I pull back the wrap and gaze at the face of my baby, snuggled against my breast. Her cheek is smooth and pink, her lips pursed, as though ready for a kiss.

Nearby, her sisters play.

-"Oooh, 'ders a bug, it's a bug! Come 'yook at it!" Says the Little One, squatting on the ground.

"Oh, I think that's probably a nice bug. It won't hurt us. " The Wise One says matter-of-factly as she goes back to picking dandelion "foofs."

"Oooh, 'yook 'dat bug, Mommy, it not hurt us." The Little One runs to me, pointing. It is a harmless box-elder bug in the grass. "-It never never not hurt us?" She asks me after a moment, to be sure. Brow furrowed in her classic look of consternation. Dark hazel eyes so very serious.

"No," I say, "never never."

She runs off to explore some more and I sit back watching them with amusement.

The doves have flown off, but all around us Spring is still bursting -bursting forth like bird song. Creeping out of every crevice, over every mossy rock.

And I am thankful today.

Handprints

How many hand prints,
sticky and small,
have I washed from the TV,
the table and walls?

How many of these
do I wipe in a day,
from the countertops, mirror,
and windows away?

On curtains, the bathtub,
the fridge and the chair,
-there are little prints
stuck about everywhere!

Shall I not miss them
someday when they're gone?
To have clean furniture
that was once smeared upon?

Spotless windows,
dirt-less doors,
print-less, grime-less,
stick-less floors...

Or will I be lonely
when they've gone away,
because they're reminders
of sweet, joy-filled days?..

Of chocolatey kisses,
sloppy and sweet,
of rumple-curled hair
that can never stay neat.

Of mud-crusted arms
thrown around Mommy's neck,
of the day we ate watermelon
out on the deck.

Popsicle stained faces
from hot summer noons,
fingers and elbows
just dripping with juice!

Cereal-milk stains
from eating with spoons,
as we snuggle in blankets
watching cartoons...

Yes, I WILL miss those hand prints
when the kids have all grown,
but I won't be too sad,
You will see,

For preserved deep inside me,
in finger-paint art,
they have left little hand prints
all over my heart
and these I keep always with me,
with me,
these I keep always with me~

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

Noodles

Who would like some noodles?
All wiggly and giggly
And curled~
Who would like some noodles?
All silly and frilly
And twirled~
Yes a heaping bowl of noodles,
Piled high
In swirls ~
-Wait a second, those aren't noodles,
They're just funny little girls! ~

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

Our Bed

Sometimes our bed’s
A quiet place
Of silver dreams
And wiggle worms,
A Baby’s sigh
As Sister squirms,
With little bodies
Warm and round,
Milk-sweet breath
And quiet sounds,
Of favorite pjs
Soft and worn
Until they’re
Positively torn,
Sometimes our bed’s
A quiet,
Snuggly place~

Sometimes our bed’s
A noisy place!
With bouncy, pouncy,
Flouncy games,
Laughing, giggling,
Silly names,,
Peek-a-boo and
Pillow plopping,
Jumping up and down
And hopping
Like little bunnies
That we are,
We jump so high
We’ll reach the stars!
Sometimes our bed’s
A noisy,
Crazy place!

But whether it is
Depths of night,
Or midday when
The sun is bright,
Our bed’s a happy,
Loving, sharing,
Fun and silly,
Sweet and caring,
Wonderfully perfect
Family place~

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

Best Nap

I may sleep in my car seat
As we drive around town,
With my forehead all sticky
And the sweat pouring down~

I may nap on Mom's bed,
Or down in my crib,
-I've slept in my highchair
With food on my bib~

I might zonk on the couch
Or swinging outside,
I've even slept with
The pets by my side~

I've slept in a cradle
-The laundry basket too!
I've napped on an airplane,
I slept through the zoo! ~

I've been surrounded by stuffed animals,
All snuggled in my nest,
But for a really good nap,
Mommy's shoulder is BEST!

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

Alliterative Affection

I wrote this poem for Punkin' Bread one breezy summer morning as we sat in the backyard in the grass under our shade tree watching Snicklefritz splash in the kiddie pool...

Alliterative Affection

Baby blue butterfly bunny
Bouncing in the shade,
The dappled shadows dancing
Across your darling face~
Chubby cherry fingers
Clutching at the breeze,
Violet eyes gazing
Up at the wavering leaves~
Soft and silly smiles
Dimple peach-blush cheeks,
Rosie toesies, tiny nosey,
Hair fair petal sleek~
Your belly is butterfly velvet
For sure
And your bright bluebell eyes
Are brilliant and pure~
Light laughing lips
Of kitten paw-pink
And bubbling, tumbling
Giggles –I think
That your long light lashes
Are as lovely my dear
As the cotton-soft curve
Of your clover leaf ear~
A dainty, delicate
Dewdrop chin
And sweet sparkling soul
That is shining within~
You’ve windmill whirling,
Waving arms,
Fluttering eyelids,
Baby charms~
The softest tiny
Tummy coos,
My Precious Princess
I love you~

Copyright Jacquelyn Bytyqi 2012

He Gathers the Lambs in His Arms and Carries Them Close to His Heart...

Draw me close to you, never let me go…
Tonight I rocked both of my children to sleep,
I lay it all down again, to hear you say that I’m your friend…
And sang to them songs of Christ’s love,
You are my desire; no one else will do…
Until their pink-flushed faces were lax,
‘Cause no one else can take your place, or fill the warmth of your embrace…
And their lashes lay still on their cheeks,
Help me find a way to bring me back to you…
Soft and shadowed in the twilight.
You're all I want,
You're all I've ever needed,
You're all I want,
Help me know you are near…
One pale against her pillow,
The other rosy in my arms~
Their features delicate and soft,
Entrancing in their charms~
Their breath comes soft and even,
Faces framed in wisps and curls~
Sweet dreams I know they’ll have tonight,
Two precious little girls~

“He tends his flock like a shepherd:
He gathers the lambs in his arms
And carries them close to his heart;
He gently leads those that have young.”
~Isaiah 40:11

This has been one of my favorite ways of serving and ministering to our kids. I can think of nothing sweeter at the end of a good day, or the end of a not-so good one than rocking my babies to sleep, letting them know they are secure. Secure in my arms and my love. What a wonderful way of worshiping together... In fact, I distinctly remember being sung to sleep by my parents, my Dad sitting by my bed singing “As the deer panteth for the water…” and my Mom holding us in her arms singing “The Dance.” What sweet memories. These are precious times. I’m glad I have the privilege now of doing this with and for my children.