i don't like chain letters but

but this one hits the spot.

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 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 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. The mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly and screaming inside that little body

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...

I didn't care if the story behind this poem is true - about the little girl dying ergo we should pass it on. I passed it on anyway. I passed it on because I want every parent to be grateful for their child/ren - to spend a little bit more time with them; to not use the excuse "I need to work for you" a little too often until it becomes routine; to learn to appreciate their child/ren - their tantrums, whinges, laughters, tears, strengths and weaknesses because these little quirks make our child/ren unique. I passed it on because as parents/grown-ups we tend to not notice the little things anymore - things like our child/ren's smile, their tears, how cute their little fingers are, how they talk, how they walk. We should treasure everything about our child/ren - even the little things. Because even little things matter, especially when they've grown-up and live their own lives and all we have are these memories. Or worse, if we lose them.

I passed it on, with Pau being the first on my list because I want him to understand why I ask a minute or two from him - to leave his computer to play with Giann and I. It annoys him sometimes but I want him to understand that every moment with Giann is essential. Every minute spent is something we can never have back, ever again. I want him to enjoy his little toddler and I want Giann to enjoy him back. We're lucky Giann is healthy. We're lucky we have him. Even luckier because we have another one on the way. Some people would give everything to have a child, or to keep their child.

We're lucky.

Thank you, God. :)

P.S. I am not a perfect mother. But I don't stop trying.

xoxo