Childhood Days

Driving down I-55
Through Sikeston and Cape Girardeau
On through St. Louis and then by Litchfield
Bring me closer to home
To see my family I've missed for so long
With the kids growing much too fast
They tell me they dream to be big someday
To grow up and move away

But I remember

Rollerblading down the street
Playing hide and seek
Freeze tag in the small town park
Selling lemonade and iced tea
Reading under the old oak trees
Running in the rain
Buying penny bubblegum
Chasing down the train
Days of childhood left behind
Never forgotten in time

Memories flood my brain
As the road continues on
I can't help but remember
A lifetime long ago
The country station plays old familiar tunes
They bring up pictures in my head
Of lazy afternoons in June
Days that drug on forever
I wanted to be big
I wanted a career
A high paying gig

Days became shorter
With boyfriends and part-time jobs
Still, being young
Was still no fun at all
I wanted to grow up
To be an adult in a grown up world
Chasing dreams instead of fireflies
Grown up life seemed so fun
So full of surprise

And I remember

Driving to the movies
Shopping at the mall
Kissing on the front porch
Playing Volleyball
Studying for the ACT's
Marching in the band
Breaking up for the first time
Hurts really bad
Graduation and College days
Childhood left behind

No job or money can replace
The days of childhood grace
Of fun and sun and lazy days

Pulling in the driveway
I see my mom and dad
My sisters and my brothers
And all the kids they've had
It's great being home
The memories make me smile
So I tell my nephews and nieces
To have fun while it lasts
' Cuz childhood days disappear too fast
They'll grow up and miss the ease
Of childhood days
Swinging on the swings
Dancing in the breeze

They'll remember

Rollerblading down the street
Playing hide and seek
Freeze tag in the small town park
Selling lemonade and iced tea
Reading under the old oak trees
Running in the rain
Buying penny bubblegum
Chasing down the train
Days of childhood left behind
Never forgotten in time
Never forgotten in time.