The seesaw and slide sat lonely.
The children's swing was still.
The sleds no longer descended
Down our wintry, snowy hill.
You see, the children grew up,
And there remained an empty nest.
Each day our home seemed lonely
As the sun sank in the West.
I cried out to God and said,
"Why does this hurt my heart?
I knew someday they would leave.
I knew it from the start."
Then one day, I got the news.
"A grandchild is on the way!"
I gladly waited in anticipation
For that baby's arrival day.
Before long came more grandkids
With loving faces so sweet.
Once more we heard the sounds
Of pitter-patter of little feet.
"Forgive me, Oh Lord," I prayed,
"For all the whining that I did.
I am thankful for the blessing
Of each sweet, loving grandkid.
This poem was a finalist in the
September 2013 poetry contest