The Promise

She stood and watched out through the window
The day was passing fast  
With half the work still left to do
A little voice came from behind,
"Momma, can I play with you?"
 
She sighed as she replied
"I don't really have the time,
There is still much left to do
and too much on my mind."
She smiled and sent the child along her way
 
Outside she ran and then began
To dance and twirl and sing
Her mother watched behind the glass
And almost pulled the shade--
But stopped to watch instead
The girl is so much like her mother
was when she was young
 
The sun had started setting  
Spilling through the leaves
She watched it touch her daughters skin
The freckles on her face,
Bright blue eyes, one missing tooth,
the messy hair she kept untamed  
Bare feet pranced carelessly,
tip toes upon the grass
 
She looked just like a bird
Her arms stretched out like wings--
She flew along the fence  
Then plopped into the swing
Head tossed back with legs out straight  
Back and forth she went--
The mother sighed  
As pressing time weighed heavy on her mind
Yet she couldn't turn away;
Her eyes were fixed upon her daughter as she played  
 
As she gazed,
A distant memory came to mind
The day her baby girl arrived
the spitting image of her mother  
No joy is known to be as great,  
the first time she held her daughter  
Eight years ago today
 
She recalled a promise made  
A whisper to her sleeping babe  
"Hello sweet girl, I am your mother.  
I know that I will make mistakes,
forgive me when I do
I am blessed beyond belief  
with every minute that I have with you
I promise to make each one count
and put you first above all else."
 
Dishes sat in soapy water
The laundry piled up in the hall  
No dinner sat upon the stove
the trash will have to wait  
No more calls for extra work
Or contemplating bills to pay
 
Outside she went and took her place
To swing beside her daughter
She turned her face up to the sky
Kicked her legs, toes pointed straight
And laughed as she went higher  
 
"You said you couldn't play,"
The girl exclaimed  
And pushed to catch up with her mother  
"I made a mistake, I told you I would
Please forgive your mother, dear
I am blessed beyond belief  
With every minute that I have with you
I promise to make each one count  
And put you first before all else."