First Steps

First Steps by Michael R. Burch for Caitlin Shea Murphy To her a year is like infinity, each day—an adventure never-ending. She has no concept of time, but already has begun the climb— from childhood to womanhood recklessly ascending. I would caution her, "No! Wait! There will be time enough another day . . . time to learn the Truth and to slowly shed your youth, but for now, sweet child, go carefully on your way! . . ." But her time is not a time for cautious words, nor a time for measured, careful understanding. She is just certain that, by grabbing the curtain, in a moment she will finally be standing! Little does she know that her first few steps will hurtle her on her way through childhood to adolescence, and then, finally, pubescence . . . while, just as swiftly, I’ll be going gray! Keywords/Tags: adolescence, pubescence, play, learning, growing up, first steps, first walking, running, aging, first love, child, childhood, children, kindergarten, age, leaving, graduation