Growing

He grew up big, tall, and strong

Never letting the winds knock him down.

As he grew, he learned so much

Like how to plant, to cook, to talk.

But what he learned most of all,

Was how to love all around.

When he was older, but not by much

He met a girl who despised him so.

She'd make him shakes and ice creams

At her little station at the local store,

Secretly hating that boy every day.

Eventually though, she saw him straight,

Knew he was simply her Mr. Right.

Days, weeks, years went by for the two,

Who soon became four, then six, then nine.

Daughters, sons, granddaughters too,

They all joined this little family of two.

They all had differences, some pale, some tan.

Some raven-haired, some redheads, even some gray,

But they were all family at the end of the day.

First came the daughters, so bright and alive,

They bickered, they loved, as all sisters do.

But they always knew who to turn to when needed,

Their parents were there with a quick, witty answer.

For they each knew the likes of a family dispute,

Their families were bigger by much I assure you.

When the daughters grew up, they added some sons.

One loud, one soft, but both full of love for their new families.

The weddings were grand for each of their daughters,

For they all knew the meaning of finding true love.

As they danced away the night, their parents watched on,

Knowing they'd lost of little bit of their daughters.

As years went by they added three more, little girls,

And the two got a new name as grandparents forevermore.

They loved them dearly, and spoiled them as all grandparents do.

Adventures, lunches, sleepovers, and more became a special bond,

Between grandparents and granddaughters who loved them so much.

As the granddaughters grew older, so did the lovely couple,

Until eventually they both disappeared from this earthly life.

Those who love them now try to remember each individual life,

But to separate their lives apart would just be foolish,

For they only spent a few childish years alone.

So when reading this story, try not to forget, that the two together,

Were so much more, so much better, so much the same.

That to separate them would be a crime against all they believed.

When thinking of them, remember their laugh, their love, their shared life.

For all of a sudden the simplest things seem to be the most important.

A bagel, a balloon, a donut, a coffee, an adventure, or maybe a holiday,

Are all we have left of the loving couple who met for ice cream and never looked back.