The Stages of Life

As a baby you rely on your parents

They feed you and change you

They love you and bathe you

Then when you’re a toddler

You do more for yourself

You eat with a spoon

Even put on your socks

Next you become well a “kid”

Getting dressed by yourself

Brushing your teeth and combing your hair

Going to school speaking clearly

Starting to talk back

Using that mind of your own

By the time you’re a preteen

You’ve had your first crush

You check out that boy

You stare at that girl

Bombarded with homework

You hang out with friends

You can’t wait to get out of school

When you’re a teen

You really rebel

Don’t do your homework

Stay out late

You’ve got your own style

Get a new “friend”

At least that’s what you tell your parents

You can’t wait to be an adult

Come senior year you wish you were a kid

You have to start making your own decisions

College is tough

You’re out on your own

Do your laundry

Pay the rent and bills

You have to take care of yourself

Get to school on time

Mom and Dad still help out

Done with college

You get a job

Then get married

Have a family

Your kids mean more to you than words describe

Mom and Dad come to watch the kids

While you and your spouse go out

Watching your kids go through what you did

Both the good and bad it’s hard

New friends and heartbreaks 

They then move out

Coming home for holidays and little things

Now you’re a grandparent                                         

Wrinkles and grey hair                                                           

Spoiling the kids                                                                                

After all it’s your job                                                                                                 

They grow up and don’t come over as much                                                                                                

You’re even older now

Slowing down and shrinking

It hurts to move

The doctor says you’ve only so long to live

Your children take you in

Care for you the way you took care of them

Feed you and change you

Clothe you and bathe you

Last days of your life

Spent looking back

The joys and the sorrows

Holding hands with your spouse       

You remember raising your kid                                  

Remember being a kid                                    

You say your good-byes                                                       

Then God calls you home