Which honestly, I don't mind. But I know many moms who do. Moms like the one I talked to today who admitted she was dreading the last day of school, all the togetherness. Moms like the one who has already posted the number days until school begins again on her Facebook status.
I'm lucky, I guess. I can sign my boys up for camps and lessons and take them to the pool, all with the help of a wonderful babysitter. But those aren't the only reasons that I don't mind summertime. I see it as kind of an adventure. An opportunity to take my boys places we wouldn't normally go. I take pictures, treasure the memories. With the help of said babysitter, we take day trips and learn about and see new things. And we do it together.
Together.
Because that's what summertime is for. With school and all of the activities and lessons and sports that our children are involved in these days, family time together is quite sparse at best. I love having all of my boys together, having fun, and having adventures.
Do we have long days with nothing planned? Yes. Do we get on each other's nerves and fight? Oh, absolutely! But ultimately, I have to say I treasure the long summer days we spend together. Because I know, from experience, that those days will be gone as quickly as they have come.
I am posting the following poem because I love it, and I love it because it means something to me. I wish I could take credit for it, but I cannot. And sadly, I cannot give credit where credit is due. If someone reading this can, feel free to post the author in my comments box. And feel free to share it with all those moms who are dreading the summer with their children.
Because, unfortunately, some of us don't have another summer to spend with our child...
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 dirty 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 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 favorite t.v. 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, 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 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......
