Time Is of the Essence

I just saw this on a friend's blog (on her sidebar) and it really struck an emotional nerve. I'm still a little weepy over it. We could blame hormones, but honestly, I would have gotten all teary-eyed even if I weren't three weeks away from having a baby.

Now is the time to get things done...
wade in the water,
sit in the sun,
squish my toes in the mud by the door,
explore the world in a boy just four.

Now is the time to study books,
flowers, snails, how a cloud looks;
to ponder "up" where God sleeps nights,
why mosquitoes take such big bites.

Later they'll be time to sew and clean,
paint the hall that soft new green,
to make new drapes, refinish the floor-
Later on... when he's not just four.

-By Irene Foster

Thank you Christina!