NO TIME TO PLAY – Brett Petrillo

I had to fight back the tears as I thought about this powerful poem. What a terribly sad reality this would be. It is worth reading. It’s called “No Time to Play” (author unknown).

My precious boy with the golden hair

Came up one day beside my chair

And fell upon his bended knee

And said, “Oh, Mommy, please play with me!”

 

I said, “Not now, go on and play;

I’ve got so much to do today.”

He smiled through tears in eyes so blue

When I said, “We’ll play when I get through.”

 

But the chores lasted all through the day

And I never did find time to play.

When supper was over and dishes done,

I was much too tired for my little son.

 

I tucked him in and kissed his cheek

And watched my angel fall asleep.

As I tossed and turned upon my bed,

Those words kept ringing in my head,

 

“Not now, son, go on and play,

I’ve got so much to do today.”

I fell asleep and in a minute’s span,

My little boy is a full-grown man.

 

No toys are there to clutter the floor;

No dirty fingerprints on the door;

No snacks to fix; no tears to dry;

The rooms just echo my lonely sigh.

 

And now I’ve got the time to play;

But my precious boy is gone away.

I awoke myself with a pitiful scream

And realized it was just a dream

 

For across the room in his little bed,

Lay my curly-haired boy, the sleepy-head.

My work will wait ’till another day

For now I must find some time to play.

We are a very busy people. Too busy. Our time and attention is taken and pulled in a million different directions. But what a sad reality it would be to wake up and realize we have not taken time for our kids. Children grow up way too fast and unfortunately our work never ends. In reality, most work can wait, but spending the limited time we with our children cannot.

Come home early from work. Turn off the phones. Put the dirty dishes on hold for an hour or two. Set your homework aside for a bit. Close up the report that is due this week. Let’s not come to our senses in ten years and realize the opportunity with our children is now gone. Moms and Dads, whatever way we decide to do it, let’s make sure we take some time and spend it with our children and family.