08/15/2025
I wrote this poem for my daughter years ago, but it is relatable for every mom!
My Ashley
The stories heard of little girls,
Candy pinks and heads of curls,
With love and laughter and eyes so bright,
My Ashley was born, changing my life.
From her very first day my life was a whirl,
This beautiful baby was my Ashley girl.
Sleeping all day then into the night,
Deep ocean love, high sky was the height.
Grew up with baby food made from scratch,
Keeping up with her appetite, doubling the batch,
Then suddenly she is eating with her hands, then a spoon,
Little Miss Ashley please don’t grow up too soon.
Sitting at the table with plate full of food,
Minutes to hour changing our mood,
But promises of music and dancing to follow,
When the food in her mouth she at last did swallow!
And dance we would do, my daughter and I,
Moving to jazz in place of lullabies,
Dancing and laughing as we began our goodnights,
With kisses and hugs, Ash tucked in tight.
Blonde hair is growing and then it is long,
Braiding her hair while singing a song,
Learning to color to stay in the lines,
Watching the flower bloom from the vine.
Ride her two wheeler while mom runs in the park,
Completing five miles before light turns to dark,
Themed birthday parties invites of girls only,
New Kids on the Block, Strawberry Shortcake and Lil Pony.
Baby to toddler, preschool and teen,
Braces, sleepovers, birthday parties are seen,
Bicycling, swimming and skating were fun,
But camping together was our favorite one.
We would sit in the tent with the thunder and rain,
Pulling sleeping bags to center, only in vain,
Rain-soaked clothes and sleeping bags too,
Laughing to the mall, what else could we do?
Girls playing dolls, hopscotch, hide and seek,
Pretending not to notice the boys taking peeks,
From Brownies to Girl Scouts, Tadpole to Flying Fish,
Oh daughter slow growing, that is mom’s wish.
Mom loves Ash my girl its true,
Deep as the ocean so green and blue,
High as the sky, to the moon and stars,
Forever to forever, that is how far.
Alas, time keeps moving without slowing down,
Ashley is a graduate in her cap and gown,
Career to begin, a woman now grown,
Remember my love, we reap what is sown.
Career and working is the new chapter,
Remember kindness trumps all to live happily ever after
Always helping others, always willing to give,
A heart of love and compassion is the only way to live.
Yes, you have heard it all before, but it’s really true,
Jesus is not far away if He lives within you,
Each day live the Golden Rule and then, so much more,
And “well done, my good and faithful servant”, will be said when you reach heaven’s door.
Love You, Mom
