If I Lived Here By Myself

August 2001

This month, I welcome another "Guest Mom," Sophie Doell. Sophie is another cyber-friend from "PAM". She has graciously allowed me to share her poem here. You can write Sophie or journey across the web to visit her family webpage. (It's well worth the trip!)

This poem reminds me why I'm at home with my kids, and why each summer day, be it humid or pleasant, blistering hot or cool, is an irretrievable blessing. Sophie's poem reminds me to keep my focus on what really matters most... and sometimes, that means blowing bubbles or creating cardboard castles instead of doing MY summer projects. I hope it encourages and motivates you, too.

From our home to yours- Deb

If I Lived Here By Myself

by Sophie Doell

If I live here by myself,
There'll be no smudges on the wall;
No Legos® pieces in the hall.
I'll have the books lined up neatly;
All papers filed alphabetically;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
The scissors will stay where I've put them;
No more questioning who's taken them.
The pencils will stay all sharpened;
Instead of all chewed up and broken;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
There'll be no peanut butter on the door;
No muddy footprints on the floor;
No sticky spots upon the table;
And carpet stains will be just a fable;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
There'll be no dishes in the sink;
I'll finally have more time to think;
And cooking for one will be a breeze;
No more doubling the recipes;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
Laundry won't take me all day;
And I'll have lots of time to play;
The bathroom will stay nice and clean;
And all the chrome will keep its sheen;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
I won't be jolted from my slumber,
By curdling screams when there's a thunder;
And I'll finally have the luxury
Of sleeping in so peacefully;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
This house will finally be so quiet;
But I don't think that I would like it.
No sound of laughter in the hall;
No kisses and hugs, both big and small;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
I'll hear no more silly stories
That make me laugh away my worries;
No more joy that only children bring;
No more lullabies to sing;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
I'll have no chubby cheeks to kiss;
And dimpled smiles I'll surely miss.
No little voices saying grace;
Or joining me to sing His praise;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
The weeds will no longer be "flowers";
No more knights in castles with tall towers.
The bushes will cease to be forests;
And pot lids, no longer shields with royal crests;
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
I'll miss the fun of discovering
The wonder of life and daily living;
I'll miss the chance to recognize
The beauty of God's world through little eyes.
If I live here by myself.

If I live here by myself,
This house will be so empty;
And I surely won't be happy.
So I will treasure each memory;
And think no more of how it might be
If I live here by myself.

For other "musings, " please see Previous Month's Musings