Posted by TerryS (198.133.22.67) on March 08, 2001 at 22:54:39:
A PARENT'S LETTER
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 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 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 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