... and a Happy New Year

Here's the thing...

I don't make New Year's Resolutions.

I used to-- but was dismayed to realize that I almost always set unrealistic goals for myself, and then became depressed about the fact that I couldn't adhere to the resolutions... for more than a few days or weeks, anyway.

This week, however, when I was reading my friend Leann's wonderful blog, "The World Through The Eyes of Me", I discovered that she had posted something that could, REALISTICALLY, become my New Year's Resolution... And one that I am determined to keep:

To My Child

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 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
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.

The 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.

-Author Unknown-

Parenting is hard. Hard, because all too often, Life. Gets. In. The. Way. And then there's that indescribable fatigue... fatigue that is so bone-achingly deep, it is hard to press on past it.

But, THIS year, thanks to Leann, I am going to make the "To My Child" post my own personal New Year's Resolution. And I'm going to try and remember it, not "just for this morning", or "just for this afternoon", or "just for this evening"... but way, WAY more often than that.

Because, childhood is short.

And, when it comes right down to it, it's the little stuff that matters in life, more than anything else.