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

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 favourite 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 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.............