Through the years,
Smiles and tears
I have raised children
With this phrase

“For the last time,”
The Lord hates lying lips
One of eight
Brothers and Sisters
A family of Ten
The parameter to keep
Us all in line
Moments measured by
“For the last time”

With parental responses such as
“Do you want some cheese
With that wine”
For the last time   enough!

For the Last time, Do your chores
For the Last time Don’t slam doors
For the Last time Eat all your dinner
For the Last time Be a Gracias winner

“This is the last time
I’ll reread the same story”
Sharing life lessons
“ Is it right the bad guy
Gets all the glory?”
Mixed messages
What is the meaning
Of the story?

However
I never gave it much thought
But what IF, This IS?
For the last time ?

If Today is all we have
Would we change the things
We say and do,?
If we only knew.!
For the last time

Life can change instantly
In The moment that
Has just gone by

I have looked into
Children’s trusting eyes
When they ask “WHY
Is Honestly the best policy!”

Live by example
When asked
“Is a white lie
Still a lie”?

Learning life lessons can be fun
You might only have
One chance to get it done

To curb the use of profanity
(I now a grandmother) said,
“I want you to call grandma out
If I use inappropriate language”
The kids loved the idea of
Calling grandma to the mat.

The Rules of the Game
I must apologize, and
Choose a better word!

They listen more discreetly
Catching grandma so sweetly.
I was cut off on the freeway
I had to swerved
So,I gave that driver
Choice words he deserved

“Oh grandma
You said a naughty word”  
The children sounded in rhythm
Hot under the collar
They caught me in the act this time
I realize what I had done.
Correction was not going to be fun

First I needed to calm down
I exited the freeway,  
A safe place , I found,
Then I apologized,
Word, of the wise
Realize
This is not an easy task
When you’re angry.
Without the luxury
Of letting time pass
Then I had to
Choose a better word
Some may think this
Game Absurd

The oldest grandchild said
“If mom and dad Played this game
They would never speak”

NEVER disrespect the parents
In front of their child
Let meek and mild
Own the day
You get more with honey
Instead of vinegar
They say

“Hold on young man
We are working on
Grandma right now”.
They caught grandma three
Times in ten years

However
The Fruits of the game
Remarkably, remain
The children’s transformation
Was definitely not
lost in translation

I walked past a teenage grandson’s
Bedroom with A group of friends over.  
One young man used the F word
Every other word.
Much to my delight
My grandson said
“Dude you cuss allot!,
Choose a better word, I’ll wait”.
The room grew quiet
The bewildered friend
Apologized and
Chose a better word
Without becoming perturbed.
The teens laughed, levity lifted.

Even to this day their use
Of inappropriate language
Is a thing of the past.
Life Lessons, If done right, will last.

The grandkids believe they cured
Grandma’s use of
Inappropriate  language!
Grandma, thanks them graciously.
A secret smile in her eyes
Live, learn, love more wise
A Contentment within her heart.

You never know how something is
Going to turn out at the start

The fruits of the game
We’re ample  
Choose a better word,
A great sample
For the last time
Live by example

Will you remember
When it is?
For The last time?
Will you Savoy 
The moment
sublime
Or will it pass in
A fleeting moment of time

The last time you taste See’s Candy
The last time you have every tool handy
The last time the sun sets on your wrath
The last time forgiveness graces your path

For the last time
Will come for each of us  
Will we remember or make a fuss
Or will The last time pass us by
In the blink of an eye
Without us knowing why