Sadly, I have not posted anything original here in a couple of weeks, and for that, I apologize.  Life has been crazy as I wrap up my doctoral dissertation.  The final sign-off date is two weeks from today, and from that point forward, I will have two things going for me: 1) I will have gobs more time to spend with my family, and 2) all that time will free me up to share with my readers that which I have gleaned through both research and experience.

To keep things moving, I thought I would share another poem, this time, by a lovely woman by the name of Sally Meyer:

To My Child
 Poem written by Sally Meyer, copyright 1995
 

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……