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 all 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 greatest gift ever 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 when 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..."
ANON
