Looking Back

Hmmmm I see us walking together
You, Joshua, quite young
Those long walks to watch warily the neighbors' dogs

I see you getting dizzy after swinging round and round
Still staggering a little reaching to be swung once more
Swinging on the patio swing, I sing to you, "Little Red Bird in the tree.."
And simple Gospel songs like "Jesus loves me..."

I look and you are holding marshmellows over a campfire
Camping was a usual thing even at Family Church Camp
Showers were not then your fun thing

There we are playing games, sometimes you wanted to
play the adult games
You thought you were ready
On the computer you taught yourself to read
Asking questions about the groups of letters on the screen

I read to you, of course I did
Until you started reading to me!
We very seldom watched TV

We play Nintendo until you are always so far ahead
What adult wants to be beaten so badly by an eight or nine year old?
Your younger brother gave you the keen competition

I watch you very intent at Bible quizzing
Or at special church or school performances
You always knew your part well

I remember well your very sober judgement of your
baby brother
You were only two
Took your two sisters in stride as the elder
brother

Parties; birthday, Christmas; picnics too
As well as going to the zoo;
Going to the lake in the Catocton Mountains
Hiking to the waterfalls

You are twelve when we fly to Italy
Quite a walk to Michaelangelo Hill in Florence
Looking for bargains in the flea markets which seemed to go on forever
Buying with lira in the stores in Rome
Remember the $4.00 a coke we paid at the hotel?

An older you, now with your guitar and music
Homeschooled, you were always so independent
Changing colors on your head
Would you come home with it blond, green, or red?

Helpful when asked to move a piece of furniture
Or shovel snow
But not your room, would take more than a shovel

I proudly listen to your first public testimony
Accepting Christ as your personal Savior
The songs you've written reflecting a high ethical ideal

I look at those first girl friends
Then came Kathy
That is where I'll end for that is
Looking forward--especially to college



Author's Note: To Joshua, my grandson, on completing highschool

Looking Back (c) 2002 Quentin Clingerman