For all Parents

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 back yard 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 you 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 show.

Just for this evening,
when I run my fingers 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 parents who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and parents 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.


Author Unknown

I AM THANKFUL FOR . . .

. . . the mess to clean up after a party, because
it means I have been surrounded by friends.

. . . the taxes I pay, because
it means that I'm employed.

. . . the clothes that fit a little too snug, because
it  means I have enough to eat.

. . . my shadow who watches me work, because
it means I am out in the sunshine.

. . . the spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking.

. . . all the complaining I hear about our government, because it means we have freedom of speech.

. . . that lady behind me in church who sings off key, because it means that I can hear.

. . . the piles of laundry and ironing,
because it means my loved ones are nearby.

. . . the lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning and gutters that need fixing,
because it means I have a home.

 . . . my sometimes huge heating bill,
because it means that I am warm.

 . . . weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means that I have been productive.

. . . the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,
because it means that I am alive.

author unkown