Babies

Babies

I spent my young man’s daylight chasin’ dollar bills and dust,

Hammerin’ steel till midnight, leavin’ love to rust.

My own kids grew like weeds while I was gone from dawn to dark,

Missed their first steps and soft words—left a hole inside my heart.

But Lord, You gave me babies, two little boys with Daddy’s eyes,

A second chance to hold ‘em ‘neath these wide Kentucky skies.

Every grin peels back a regret like paint from an old barn door,

I’m learnin’ slow and gentle—I ain’t missin’ anymore.

I rock ‘em on the front porch where the evenin’ breeze is cool,

Singin’ “Fox on the Run” soft, breakin’ every hurry-rule.

One’s got a laugh like banjo rolls, the other coos in G,

They wrap my rough old fingers ‘round their futures, settin’ me free.

Yeah, Lord, You gave me babies, tiny hands that grip my soul,

Meltin’ years of wastin’ time like sugar in a bowl.

Every giggle’s mercy, every sleepy sigh’s a prayer,

I’m storin’ up these treasures in the heart I lay bare.

I used to count the overtime, now I count their toes,

Ten little piggy reasons why the good Lord only knows.

Clock on the wall keeps tickin’, but I ain’t watchin’ it no more—

These moments are forever, even when they’re out the door.

I’ll teach ‘em how to fish the creek, how to pick a flat-top clean,

How a man can mend a fence and still have time to dream.

When my voice is just a whisper and these hands are worn to bone,

They’ll carry Grandpa’s lullabies in hearts they call their own.

Thank God He gave me babies, two blue-eyed miracles of grace,

Turnin’ all my yesterdays to joy I can’t erase.

Time ain’t waitin’ patient, but I’m holdin’ every breath,

These babies are my heaven—till I’m called home to rest.

Yes, Lord, You gave me babies…

Two little second chances…

And I’m lovin’ every minute till the last