Mom,
A few days before I left for school, you gave me a gold piece of paper. It read:
Reflections of a Mother
I gave you life,
but cannot live it for you.
I can give you directions,
but I cannot be there to lead you.
I can take you to church,
but I cannot make you believe.
I can teach you right from wrong,
but I cannot always decide for you.
I can buy you beautiful clothes,
but I cannot make you beautiful inside.
I can offer you advice,
but I cannot accept it for you.
I can give you love,
but I cannot force it upon you.
I can teach you to share,
but I cannot make you unselfish.
I can teach you respect,
but I cannot force you to show honor.
I can advise you about friends,
but cannot choose them for you.
I can advise you about sex,
but I cannot keep you pure.
I can tell you about alcohol & drugs,
but I can't say "No" for you.
I can tell you about lofty goals,
but I can't achieve them for you.
I can teach you about kindness,
but I can't force you to be gracious
I can pray for you,
but I cannot make you walk with God.
I can tell you how to live,
but I cannot give you eternal life.
I can love you with unconditional love all of
my life... and I will.
Love,
Mom
That piece of paper is magnetized to my desk, right above my computer, so that I may see it often and think of you. Though I think of you and how gracious I am to be yours, I have yet to respond to your sweet words. So I will now.
Reflections of a Daughter
You gave me life,
Thank you for patiently allowing me to live it my way, however messy it got
You gave me directions,
Thank you for supporting me even when I chose a different (wrong) path.
You took me to church,
Thank you for making sure I was there even when I said I didn't want to be; I'm glad I went.
You taught me right from wrong,
Thank you for sometimes allowing me to learn the hard way, and thus, truly learn.
You bought me beautiful clothes,
Thank you for reminding me that though I looked beautiful, it was my heart that counted.
You offered me advice,
Thank you for patiently repeating it several times when I refused to listen the first.
You gave me love,
Thank you for giving it even when I acted indifferent (I wasn't).
You taught me to share,
Thank you for so selflessly sharing with me.
You taught me respect,
Thank you for being such an easy person to honor.
You advised me about friends,
Thank you for lovingly reminding me of who I was when I tried to be someone else.
You advised me about sex,
Thank you for teaching me the value of purity, and trusting me to choose it on my own.
You told me about drugs and alcohol,
Thank you for allowing me to answer for myself.
You told me about lofty goals,
Thank you for supporting me in all of mine and encouraging me always to aim high.
You taught me about kindness,
Thank you for being my role model.
You prayed for me,
Thank you for teaching me to walk with Him.
You told me how to live,
Thank you, because I was able to choose eternal life.
You have loved me unconditionally and always will,
Thank you.
Because you first taught me to love, I can and will do the same.
I love you,
Claire
Happy Mother's Day, Mom.
