a lovely poem...to my child

This poem was sent to me by email. I found it meaningful and touching and wanted to share this with you.

Just for this morning, I am going to smilewhen 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 telephoneand 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

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up and 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 you 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 fingers 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.

This poem was written by a 29 year old Zimbabwean father. Both he and his wife share a wonderful life and have been blessed with a daughter named Rachael. She is 10 months old and was diagnosed with cancer not too long ago.