Just For Today

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 back yard 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 you 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 show.

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 who are searching for their
missing children, the mothers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers 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.

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I love this poem. Every time I read it I want to be a better mom. I know that there a many things that I need to work on and that no other success in life can compensate for my failure as a mother. I hear myself way to often telling my little ones "In a minute". What is more important then them? The laundry waiting to be folded, the latest update on Facebook, the climax of Greys Anatomy. This is something I am going to strive to be better at. They are only little for so long and soon they will not be wanting to share there time with me. My worst fear is that one day I will wake up and regret that I didn't do this or that with them. I love them more than they will ever know. Now I just need to show them.