where have they gone

When I was going through some of my late father's papers recently I came across this poem he wrote when my older sister and I were in our twenties. It had been many years since I read it, and I had forgotten about it as time passed.

Now that my daughters are in their thirties and there are grandchildren, I thought it was fitting to share it. I know my father would be so proud of the beautiful and special women my own daughters have become, as am I. 

Where Have They Gone

by

Reece Holloway

Where have they gone our beautiful children

Little girls dancing, laughing and singing

Playing and singing in the soft summer sunlight

Singing and laughing with their friends and playmates

Playing all day in the soft summer sunlight

Blonde curls flying, skipping and laughing

Singing and laughing in the land of the Bluegrass

Bringing pure joy to a young mother and father

Playing in a doll house the young father built them

Starting a club called "The Five Cherry Blossoms'

Dreaming their dreams in the warm summer sunlight

Through the soft summer days for ever and ever

Where have they gone, our beautiful children

Gone and left us, grown to adulthood

Grown to young women incredibly beautiful

Bringing joy to parents grown older and grayer

Still they are with us our beautiful children

Little girls dancing, laughing and singing

Blonde curls flying, skipping and laughing

Deep in our hearts for ever and ever

Time flies so quickly, and as the caption above tells us, when we leave this world the only things we can take with us are the things that are packed inside our hearts. I hope you are packing your hearts full, my sweet friends. It is so comforting to know that my father did.