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 childrens’ 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…………..

Remember the kids–They’re like kites
You spend a lifetime trying to get them off the ground.
You run with them until you’re both breathless.
They crash. They hit the rooftop.
You patch and comfort, adjust, and teach.
You watch them lifted by the wind and assure them that someday they’ll fly.
Finally, they are airborne.
They need more string and you keep letting it out.
But with each twist of the ball of twine, there is a sadness that goes with joy.
The kite becomes more distant, and you know it won’t be long before
that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you two
together and will soar as it is meant to soar, free and alone.

Only then do you know that you did your job.

by Irma Bombeck

note: I posted this today to remind myself of this, as my sons left today (still remembering to always say I love you before they leave) to go shopping for for college Dorm supplies for the new school year.

*sigh* it never gets any easier when they leave …