Wait for me

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

I am here to pick you up.

There, there, dry your eyes now;

My dear, baby girl.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

I’ll be back after work.

There, there, dry your eyes now.

Daycare will be fun.

Maddie and her cousin, Johnny.

Maddie and her cousin, Johnny.

Maddie pictured at St. Paul Lutheran Preschool. She was in Ms. Megan’s and Ms. Wanda’s class.

Maddie pictured at the Lawrence County Early Childhood Development Center Daycare.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

I can see you’re hurt.

There, there, let me hold you for a while;

The cast won’t be forever.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

I am trying to catch up with you.

There, there, something must be in my eyes.

I can see you’re eager to start school.

Kindergarten friends

Kindergarten Halloween party.

Maddie played Mother Goose in Kindergarten play

Mrs. Miller’s and Mrs. Hurbet’s Kindergarten class at St. Joseph Catholic School.

This was a typical Maddie pose–looking over her glasses.

Maddie’s Kindergarten school picture

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

It was night, and I was asleep.

There, there, close your eyes now.

It was only a bad dream.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

I know life isn’t fair.

There, there, it’ll get better;

Those boys won’t always be mean.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

The supply list is long.

There, there, we will find it all;

Middle school locker will certainly be full!

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

It will be fun, you’ll see.

There, there, hold your head high; and

Sashay your way across that  dance floor.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

No, really, I’m fine; just an allergy flare up.

There, there, your friends are waiting.

First day of high school just begun.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

How many dresses must be tried?

There, there, you’ll find the perfect one.

Dazzling as you take his arm for prom.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

Oh, you know, my watery eyes.

There, there, your speech made me proud.

Golden cap and gown of graduation sounds.

John and Maddie just before graduation in May of 2017.

Wait for me, Sweetheart.

No, really, wait.

There, there, one more hug,

Before I must walk away.

Located on a mountain in Bethany, WV–Maddie’s new day “mountain” adventure awaits her at Bethany College.

Maddie and me at Bethany in the spring of 2017.

Waiting for you, Sweetheart.

I know you must soar solo.

There, there, the world is at your hands.

We’ll be right here, cheering on your journey!

John, Maddie, and me eating dinner together the night before a college visit to Bethany,

Dedicated to my daughter, Madelyn Clarice Hill

May the stars ever twinkle;

May the sun ever shine.

May your mind be ever open, but

May your feet be firmly planted.

May your soul be strong, and

May your heart be full of love.