When You Were Small



Number 1 daughter's handprint on Christmas ornament.



Q:   How many school handprint cards does a parent have to receive before realizing that they are more precious than gold?

A:  One.  But it takes a couple of years for the value to appreciate.

When I was young (read:  a long time ago), I thought these handprints and poems were quite kitschy and sappy. 

Now that I am not young (read: buying Age Defying Moisturizer and admiring Suzanne Somers), I get all misty eyed when reading them.

Thank you to all the teachers who patiently pressed my little ones’ hands into ink and made these cards.  You are angels.



The Handprint Poem



The Handprint

Sometimes you get discouraged

Because I am so small

And always leave my fingerprints

on furniture and walls.

But everyday I am growing--

I'll be grown-up someday.

And all those tiny handprints

will surely fade away.

So here is a final handprint

just so you can recall

exactly how my fingers looked

when I was very small.