Makes you think

*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.............

I received this today in my e-mail. I will be the first to admit that I do almost the opposite of each of these things everyday. I am so busy that I feel like I do not have enough time to do them. When in fact they are the most important things I could be doing. All of the other stuff could be done at a later time. Yes, we do have to work and cook, but everything else can wait. I have been given one of the most precious gifts in life and I take her for granted. I feel like I have so many adult things to do that at times I find myself expecting more of her then I should. Ella is an amazingly bright three year old and needs time to be that three year old. No one ever told me that being a mother would be the best and worst job in life all at the same time. I would not give it up for one minute and hope to do it again, but it has made me the strongest and weakest person at different times. I have experienced my highest highs and lowest lows since becoming a mother. What a ride. Thank you Ella for all that you are. I love you.