I used to sit outside and watch the clouds

I used to sit and watch the clouds--
Not for the purpose of getting some Grade A Vitamin D,
But because I wanted to see what shapes the clouds made.

I used to go play outside--
Not for the purpose of getting exercise,
But because sometimes being inside is just too stuffy--
Plus grass is more lovely than carpet.

I used to let my imagination run wild--
Not because I was trying to be creative or smart,
But because I didn't know how to stop myself.

I used to get carried inside sometimes--
Not because I was fast asleep or too tired to walk,
But because the warm feeling of being cared about was just too addicting.

We used to lie down in the grass for hours--
Not because of, well, any particular reason,
But because that's just where we happened to be--
We had nothing to do, and it was the most relaxing way to exist.

I used to be excited when my dad came home--
Not because I needed something from him,
But because I missed him and loved being around him--
Looking up, imitating, learning how to be.
And I can't help to shake the feeling
That he's not the one who changed.