She came last night as I sat alone,
“The Girl I Used to Be,”
And gazed at me with her
earnest eyes and questioned reproachfully.
“Have you
forgotten the many hopes and plans I had for you,
“The
great career, the splendid fame and the wonderful things to do?
“Where is the mansion of stately heights and grounds
surpassing fair,
“The silken robe I dreamed for you and
the jewels for your hair?”
As she spoke, I was very sad,
for I wanted her pleased with me,
This slender girl from the
shadowy past…The Girl I Used to Be.
Then gently arising,
I took her hand and guided her up the stairs,
Where peacefully
sleeping, my babies lay—innocent, sweet and fair.
I told
her they were my only gems, and precious they are to me.
My
silken robe is Motherhood of costly simplicity.
My mansion of
stately heights is love, and the only career I know
Is serving
each day in its sheltering walls for the dear ones who come and
go.
And as I spoke to my shadow guest, she smiled through her
tears at me.
I saw that the woman who I am now…pleased
The Girl I Used to Be.
—Author Unknown