When I am Ready

When I am ready, I will smile.
You'll have to wait a little while.
Its one of the first things I learn to do,
I want it to be just right for you.

When I am ready, I'll sleep through.
There may be small things you can do,
To help me do it, but you'll soon see,
That in the end, it's down to me.

When I am ready, I will crawl.
And then you'll have no peace at all.
Into everything I'll be,
No time for your nice cup of tea!

When I am ready I will walk.
And when I'm ready, I will talk.
Then that's it, big milestones done.
Though you will still cherish ones to come.

And when you're old and up I've grown,
And maybe perhaps children of my own,
You'll look at them and you will sigh -
How fast the time has passed you by!

Was I really as small as that,
Helpless and tiny, in booties and hat?
And much as you tried to enjoy each part,
There was that wish inside your heart.

Will you ever get there? You used to say
As you wished my babyhood away.
The others are doing it, why aren't you?
Because it's not my time - if only you knew

That all the worry was a waste of time,
The decision of when, was always mine.
I did it all in the end, nice and steady.
I told you I'd do it when I was ready!.

Author Unknown