Janet Rattay

JAMES

It’s not easy saying goodbye
Time has wings and for some it flies
I remember yesterday’s child
Sweet and innocent and oh so mild.

A football player he’ll surely be
I’d pick him up upon my knee;
Was he five, or could it be four
The child who ran around the floor.

Christmas visits always the best
Open more gifts forget the rest
Forever smiling this happy boy
Spreading always the Christmas joy.

An aunt and uncle we became
He always called us, this our name,
And through the years it felt so good
Not having children it’s understood.

A summer day with sky of blue
An astronaut in spaceship flew
Around the yard, yet it stood still
Imagination if you will.

Off to school and doing his best
Good manners never put to the test
Always respecting others too
The boy into a teenager grew.

High school years some goings were tough
Peer pressure can always be so rough
He would stop by just to say hello
We’d talk and laugh about long ago.

And now a man he has become
Childhood days setting like the sun
The Navy own him now it’s’ true
America’s best, red, white and blue.

Late September, a Sunday Eve
Knock at the door we did receive
A kiss for luck and good hug too
Tears in our eyes, we both love you.

Nana’s proud and your mom is too
Wishing always the best for you
I stood and waved the flag that night
Your leaving was a saddened sight.

So now I’ll end with wishes too
It’s part of life through and through
For children grow and have to go
They’re sent to earth for us to know.

Author’s Note: For our neighbor James – when he enlisted in the service