When Did It Happen.....

I looked in the mirror today

And a stranger looked back

With lines on her face

And graying hair

When did it happen?

I played with the children

My own children's babies

The circle of life

The joys and the miracles

When did it happen?

I go to more funerals than weddings

These days; too many to count

And comfort the living

And pray for their dead

When did it happen?

Life happened in the busyness

The rush to get nowhere fast

Did I miss the best there was?

Have I neglected the finer things

While life was happening?

Slow down, slow down

Enjoy the race

The joy is for the taking

And life is for the living

While it's still happening.

Comments: 20

Kelly M. May 17, 2009, 12:45am EDT

beautiful

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K K. May 17, 2009, 12:47am EDT

very nice, very much from within...

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K K. May 17, 2009, 12:53am EDT

Just a small suggestion......"With lines on her face"............ "With lines on my face"... Maybe this will then read to fit everyone's life..

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Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. May 17, 2009, 1:02am EDT

Awesome Kimberly!

I am going to share this with everyone in my family tomorrow, that's for sure!

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Paul M. May 17, 2009, 1:05am EDT

Nice poem. Getting old sucks.

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Kushal Poddar May 17, 2009, 1:29am EDT

A certain thing in life. Wonderfully written. Wise.

the ruin

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William Dotani May 17, 2009, 1:56am EDT

Mild shock, then acceptance and then thankfulness for the many beautiful experiences you hold.

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Susan Budig May 17, 2009, 2:31am EDT

Good words, well arranged, Kimberly.

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Krystal Harwell May 17, 2009, 3:24am EDT

this was very beautiful.

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Carol Lloyd May 17, 2009, 3:32am EDT

thanks for the posting

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Amanda "middle of nowhere" C. May 17, 2009, 4:11am EDT

This will hit a lot of us. Thanks, Kimberly. Great work.

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Robert - just a simple man - B. May 17, 2009, 7:08am EDT

Excellent Kimberly; and the fact that you have to ask 'when did it happen', shows you were busy living life as a participant not simply an observer. You have pleased God.

Lovely.

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Doc, in the middle, holding on... Curmudgeon esq. May 17, 2009, 8:46am EDT

insightful.

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Rob Appell May 17, 2009, 10:23am EDT

Since I have no life; I never have to worry about this happening to me.

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Stacey *Mamasaid* D. May 17, 2009, 12:55pm EDT

Kimberly, I related to every word and greatly appreciate this reminder to enjoy life along the way amidst the busy hustle and bustle. Excellent poem!

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Kathryn E. May 17, 2009, 2:27pm EDT

The same theme as Chana has written about today, and as we all think about.....

Featured in the Triple Name Club.

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Rhetta A. May 17, 2009, 5:45pm EDT

That's a wonderful poem. But honestly, I believe we get from life what we need to get, and doubt you missed the "finer things."

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Jennifer Lee May 17, 2009, 10:00pm EDT

This one resonates, Kimberly. I'm approaching fourty and if I didn't color my hair would likely see gray. Great poem, the repetition works well. Thank you for posting to our group.

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