Daily Promises From A Parent

Submitted by R. E. Reid (randybear)

September 25, 2003

Just for this morning:

bulletI am going to step over the laundry, pick you up and take you to the park to play
bulletI will leave the dishes in the sink and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together

Just for this afternoon:

bulletI will unplug the telephone, keep the computer off, sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles
bulletI will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck
bulletI will buy you ice cream if the ice cream truck passes by
bulletI won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up
bulletI won't second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned
bulletI will let you help me bake cookies
bulletI won't stand over you trying to fix them
bulletI will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys

Just for this evening:

bulletI will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you
bulletI will let you splash in the tub and not get angry
bulletI will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars
bulletI will snuggle beside you for hours and miss my favorite TV shows
bulletWhen I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given

And before I go to bed, I will think about the mothers and fathers who are:

bulletSearching for their missing children
bulletVisiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms
bulletWatching their children suffer in hopsitals

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