If she had only known what I know now...

She came tonight as I sat alone,
The girl I used to be.
And she gazed at me with her earnest eye,
And questioned reproachfully:

"Have you forgotten the many plans,
And hopes that I had for you?
The great career, the splendid fame,
all the wonderful things to do?"

Where is the mansion of stately height,
With all of its gardens rare?
The silken robes that I dreamed for you,
And the jewels in your hair?"

And as she spoke, I was very sad,
For I wanted her to be pleased with me...
This slender girl from the shadowy past,
The girl that I used to be.

So gently rising, I took her hand,
And guided her up the stair,
Where peacefully sleeping my babies lay,
Innocent, sweet, and fair.

I told her that these are my only gems,
And how precious they are to me;
That silken robe is my motherhood,
Of costly simplicity.

And my mansion of stately height is love,
And the only career I know,
Is serving each day in these sheltered walls,
For the dear ones who come and go.

And as I spoke to my shadowy guest,
She smiled through her tears at me.
And I saw that the woman that I am now,
Pleased the girl that I used to be.

- Author unknown