Credit: davidkanigan.com
Leafing through old photographs
Images of times before the times before
Young ones captured and captivated
in moments of absolute innocence
Times before the times before
Blond curls and waves crown wide open smile
Big brown eyes and chubby cheeks bursting with laughter
Times before the times before
Pure and unconditional love between father and sons
in the Times before the times before
the times before you lost them both
Day 22. My oldest and I set about organizing old family albums for the move. It’s astounding how many photos of the boys I took. Mostly simple moments in the big back yard. This one came easily for some reason
Building A Life Of Hope 
This poem really speaks to me personally….I’ve lost both of my dads….Birth father at 10 and step father a few years ago….All I have now are photographs and memories….The time before…
I am sorry for your losses, Sharon. I am glad, though, that it spoke to you. My sons’ father has missed important moments with his children for at least a decade. Now their grown men calling the shots in the relationship. They are moving on with their lives. Sort of like that old song by the late Harry Chapin “Cat’s in the Cradle”.
Your poem (and then the mention of Harry Chapin) hit me very emotionally. In fact, a tear of two.
Wow. The song is something I think of from time to time and Sharon’s reply brought it back. Their father has become such a non-factor in their lives now. Frankly, it is just plain sad.