To my child...

I've read this before, but think it's so true. Life gets so busy and we tend to let the small things pass us by without a thought. Our children are such wonderful blessings to us all and this poem always reminds me to just stop and enjoy each passing moment. One day our kids will grow up and move on with their own exciting lives, following their own dreams. So spoil them while you can, in whatever way you choose, especially with your time.

Jake & I made a vegetable garden this past weekend. We planted cherry tomatoes, strawberries, child-friendly flowers, a lemon tree and various seeds (all in pots). Every evening when I get home from work, I help him fill his watering can and let him water his plants on his own. He digs in the sand and gets muddy and he loves ever second of it. He did most of the planting on his own and is very, very proud of his little garden and it's been wonderful watching him learn about planting and fertilizing and watering and pests and now waiting for his seeds to sprout. I can't wait for his first "harvest"!! It's so important to give them the happy memories of a fleeting childhood that they so deserve. This poem makes me cry every time I read it. I love you, Jake XXX

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.............. AUTHOR UNKNOWN