Where have all the years gone?

There are days when I sit and wonder:

Where have all the years gone? 

I left my career at my prime,

To take care of my little ones

15 years have past,

And now they are no longer little.

I look in the mirror,

And sometimes wonder, who is that looking back at me?

At times I don't even recognize myself.

I see a woman, with years etched on her face,

Tired, lifeless, aged.

Where is that young, youthful lady

Full of vigour, full of energy, full of life?

I have friends who say

I look younger than my age

But I wonder:

Are they just saying kind words

To make me feel good?

I know I do look younger than some many years younger than me

But I no longer see the young me in the mirror anymore.

At times I don't even recognize who I see.

It doesn't help when you have young ones 

Telling you everyday, that you are old.

You begin to feel it, 

And believe it.

That you are old. 

Visited a relative just last week

And she commented:

Where have all the years gone? 

I remember when you were just a little one.

I too wonder, where have all the years gone?

The last 15 were spent changing diapers, 

Washing milk bottles,

Ferrying the kids around.

Was my time well spent?

I do not know. 

Will I one day look back and regret

That I have wasted my life

With nothing to show for at the end of it? 

I do not know.

I still wonder:

Where have all the years gone?