TO MY CHILD

Just for this morning I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a happy meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count the stars.

Just for this evening , I will snuggle beside you for hours and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the best gift even given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore. And as I kiss you goodnight, I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer.

It is then that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day............

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As I was cleaning up my computer, I came across this. I wish it was this easy to be a mother. I wish my son knew how much I love him, what lengths I have went for him and just how far I would go.

I never wanted children. But fate doesn't always give you what you want, nor what you ask for. So, I have a son and I would not change that for the world.

Our family is not the Cleavers by any stretch of the imagination. My son is bossy, whiny and even hateful at times. On the other hand, he's smart, extremely funny and a little charmer. But he is MY son and I love him no matter what his temperment of the day. Even when I want to throttle him, he's still my baby.

So, I guess I kept this to remind me of the things I should do with my son. As his grandmother repeatedly reminds me "they are only little once".