One hundred years from now
it will not matter
what kind of car I drove,
what kind of house I lived in,
how much money I had in my bank account,
nor what my clothes looked like.
But the world may be a little better
because I was important
in the life of a child.

I can carry a child on my hip
While I pick up the others pouty lips.

I can chop onions while tying a shoe
and fixing a glass of chocolate milk.

I fold laundry while giving a bath
Read you a book and rescue the cat.

I pick up toys from the stairs and floor
Do things I never thought of before

I listen to stories of “who did what”
I close the doors that you can’t shut.

I mop the floors and clean up spills
Argue with the “stronger willed”

I clean the toilets, make the beds
Wash the windows, tousle heads

I help with homework, cut the grass
Clean the fingerprints off the glass.

My chores are not for me, it seems
They are for you, my child, my dream

If what I do, will help you grow
I’ll do it forever, and have you know…

That with the chores came lots of laughs,
Loving hugs and special crafts.

Nighttime kisses and lullabies
Grateful smiles and yummy mud pies

Walks in the rain, swings in the park
Sleepy-time parties way after dark

My chores were all  worth it to hear one thing,
“I love you, Mom.  You’re special to me”

--Dawn

Lord, thank thee for this sink of dirty dishes,
We have plenty of food to eat.
Thank thee for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry,
We have plenty of nice clothes to wear.
And I would like to thank thee, Lord, for those
unmade beds in there,
They were so warm and so comfortable last night.
I know that many have no bed.
My thanks to thee, Lord, for this bathroom, complete
with all the splattered mirrors, soggy, grimy towels
and dirty lavatory, They are so convenient.
Thank thee for this finger smudged refrigerator
that needs defrosting so badly, it has served us
faithfully for many years. It is full of cold drinks and
enough leftovers for two or three meals.
Thank thee Lord, for this oven that absolutely
must be cleaned today, It has baked so many
things over the years.
The whole family is grateful for that tall grass
that needs mowing, The lawn that needs raking;
we all enjoy the yard.
Thank thee, Lord, even for that slamming screen door.
My kids are healthy and able to run and play.
Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me
says thou hast richly blessed my family. I shall do
them all cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.
And all the grateful housewives say??
AMEN!