The dear little feet wander often, perhaps, from the pathway of right,
The dear little hands find new mischief to try you from morning till night;
But think of the desolate mothers who'd give all the world for your bliss,
And, as thanks for your infinite blessings, send the children to bed with a kiss!

For someday their noise will not vex you, the silence will hurt you far more;
You will long for their sweet childish voices, for a sweet childish face at the door;
And to press a child's face to your bosom, you'd give all the world for just this!
For the comfort 'twill bring you in sorrow, send the children to bed with a kiss!

HARSH WORDS
I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went out of our way saying goodbye.
But at home a difference is told
How we treat our loved ones, young and old

Later that day, cooking the evening meal
My son stood beside me, very still
As I turned I nearly knocked him down
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown
He walked away, his little heart broken
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken
While I lay awake in bed
God's still small voice came to me and said

"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,
But the children you love, you seem to abuse
Go and look on the kitchen floor
You'll find some flowers there by the door
Those are the flowers he brought for you
He picked them himself; pink, yellow and blue
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise
And you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time I felt very small
And now my tears began to fall
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em out by the tree
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today"
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too,
And I do like the flowers, especially the blue."



TO EACH HIS OWN
I cannot change the way I am.
I never really try,
God made me different and unique,
I never ask him why.

If I appear peculiar,
There's nothing I can do,
You must accept me as I am,
As I've accepted you.

God made a casting of each life,
Then threw the mold away,
Each child is different from the rest,
Unlike as night from day.

So often we will criticize,
The things that others do,
But, do you know, they do not think,
The same as me and you.

So God in all his wisdom,
Who knows us all by name,
He didn't want us to be bored,
That's why we're not the same.



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 good night 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....



MEMORIES
Grubby hands and dirty faces
Many feet going different places
Screaming, yelling, hollering "Mom
Someone's got my bubble gum!"
"Where's my coat?", "Where's my shoes?",
"Where's my books?", No time to lose.
A slam of the door, a note to write
Which one was sick the other night?
Hair to brush, teeth to check,
A lunch to make I can't forget.
Shoes to tie, boots to sort,
"Don't wear that skirt, it's much too short!"
Now the house is quiet, the last one's out
My coffee's cold, without a doubt
I look around at quite a mess
Forgotten hats and gloves, no less.
Beds to make, dishes to do
A laundry mountain, will I ever get through?
So soon they're gone and I'll regret
Having complained, I'll soon forget.
The night's so quiet, I could climb the walls
I'd give a million for one of their calls.
One day soon my house they'll fill
With kids of their own. What a thrill!
Grubby hands and dirty faces
Tiny feet going different places
What excitement it will be,
To hear, "Hey, Gramma! Look at me!"
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