This is for all Mothers who have fallen asleep in Church after being keep awake all night by a colicky baby. This is for all Mothers who have gone to work with baby burp on their jacket. This for all Mothers who have experienced the scorn of other shoppers by a screaming child. This is for all Mothers who have had to count to 10 in order not to swat that screaming child. This is for all Mothers who have walked the floor all night with a sick child. This is for all Mothers who have sat in a steamy bathroom with an asthmatic child, with the shower running, hoping the hot water wouldn't run out before the child's breathing was less labored. This for all Mothers who have kissed booboo's and made them better with a super hero Band-Aid. This is for all Mothers who were served breakfast in bed, and have forced down fried eggs that were burned on the outside and raw inside. This is for all Mothers who have been brought coffee in bed and drank the whole cup of lukewarm liquid that was made with yesterdays coffee grounds. This is for all Mothers who have stayed up at night waiting for their teenage child to come home, wringing their hands, praying they are only late, not in an accident or worse. This is for all Mothers who have withstood the growing pains of teenage angst. This is for all Mothers who wish they could relive those years of teenage years. This is for all Mothers who have lost a child. This is for all Mothers who have lost a child at birth. This is for all Mothers who have lost a child to a drug related death. This is for all Mothers who long for their departed children.

IF . . .

If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd finger paint more
and point my finger less.
I'd take my eyes off my watch,
and watch with my eyes.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd be firm less often, and affirm much more. .
If I had my child to raise over again,
I'd teach less about the love of power
and more about the power of love.

Author unknown