TheBanyanTree: YOUR MOTHER AND YOU

[Sharon Mack]

Yesterday my daughter sent me one of those internet "sentimental" pieces that go around.  Some are sweet , others hokey, but we all get them from time to time.

She sent it with this statement, "For you from me...I think I am better than this puissant daughter...."  but her sentiment was clear.  As I read it, I began shaking my head.  It was not at all my daughter.  She gave me way too much credit and gave herself none.

I have always described my sons (who were the last two of my children) as good boys but definitely boys!  But I always described my girls as "gold."  They were the best!

So I redid the piece to fit my daughter with actual things that happened.  I am sorry this is long but you must read the first to understand the second.  So if you don't have the time save or delete now!

Sharon

Your Mother and You! (From the Internet)

Your Mother and You!

When you are 1 year old, she fed and bathed you -
You thanked her, by crying all night long!

When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk -
Your thanked her, by running away when she called!

When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love -
You thanked her, by tossing your plate on the floor!

When you were 4 years old, she gave you some crayons -
You thanked her, by coloring the dining room table!

When you were 5 years old, she dressed you for the holidays -
You thanked her, by plopping into the nearest puddle!

When you were 6 years old, she walked you to school -
You thanked her; by screaming   " I AM NOT GOING "!

When you were 7 years old, she bought you a baseball -
You thanked her, by throwing it through the next-door-neighbors-window!

When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice cream -
You thanked her, by dripping it all over you lap!

When you were 9 years old, she paid for piano lessons -
You thanked her, by never even bothering to practice!

When you were 10 years old, she drove you all day - from soccer to Gymnastics & to one birthday party after another -
You thanked her, by jumping out of the car and never looking back!

When you were 11 years old, she took you and your friends to the movies
You thanked her, by asking to sit in a different row!

When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certain TV shows
You thanked her, by waiting until she left the house!

When you were 13, she suggested a haircut -
You thanked her; by telling her she had no taste!

When you were 14, she paid for a month away at summer camp -
You thanked her, by forgetting to write a single letter!

When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug -
You thanked her, by having your bedroom door locked!

When you were 16, she taught you how to drive her car -
You thanked her, by taking it every chance you could!

When you were 17, she was expecting an important call -
You thanked her, by being on the phone all night!

When you were 18, she cried at you high school graduation -
You thanked her, by staying out partying until dawn!

When you were 19, she paid for you college tuition, drove you to campus carrying your bags *
You thanked her, by saying good-bye outside the dorm, so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of your friends!

When you were 20, she asked her whether you are seeing anyone -
You thanked her, by saying,   " It's none of your business!"

When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for your future -
You thanked her, by saying,   " I don't want to be like you!"

When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation *
You thanked her, by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe!

When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your first apartment -
You thanked her, by telling your friends it was ugly!

When you were 24, she met you fiancé and asked your plans for the future -
You thanked her, by glaring and growling,   " Muuuhh-ther, please!

When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and she cried and told you how deeply she loved you -
You thanked her, by saying you were   " Really busy right now!"

When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care of her - 
You thanked her, by reading about the burden parents become to their children!
And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you never did came crashing down like thunder on YOUR HEART!!!

************************************************************


YOUR MOTHER AND YOU

Dedicated to my daughter, Jennifer

When you were one year old, I fed and bathed you,
You thanked me by sleeping all night long until 7am

When you were two and a half years old, I taught you to walk,
You thanked me by running to me and holding onto my leg while I did my housework.

When you were three years old, I made you meals with love,
You thanked me by falling asleep on your plate.

When you were four years old, I gave you some crayons,
You thanked me by coloring beautiful pictures to hang on my frig.

When you were five years old, I dressed you for the holidays,
You thanked me by twirling and dancing to see your skirts swirl.

When you were six years old, I went with you to the bus,
You thanked me by putting your nose to the window and waving till you couldn't see me anymore.

When you were seven years old, I bought you a wiffle ball and bat,
You thanked me by playing with your sister and the neighborhood children and sharing generously (even though you forgot the trash I had asked you to take out).

When you were eight years old I gave you ice cream
But only in a dish that you could eat with a spoon so you wouldn't drip it all over your lap.

When you were nine years old I wish I had given you flute or piano lessons,
You thanked me by never pouting or letting me know how much it would have meant to you.

When you were ten years old, I wish I had driven you all day to soccer, gymnastics and one birthday party after another,
You thanked me by never complaining and never letting me see the hurt you must have felt.

When you were eleven years old I never took you and your friends to the movies,
You thanked me by being silent and accepting the church movies and those we rented or watched on TV.

When you were twelve I warned you not to watch certain TV programs and 
You thanked me by remembering the lessons when you had children of your own.

When you were thirteen I would not let you get your haircut,
You honored me by waiting patiently until you were sixteen.

When you were fourteen I never paid for a month away at summer camp,
You thanked me by babysitting and helping me to pay the bills and care for your brothers.

When you were fifteen I came home from work looking for a hug,
You thanked me by not only hugging me but helping with chores and children and homework.

When you were sixteen I didn't teach you how to drive a car,
Your father did.

When you were seventeen you were away from me and the important call I waited for was yours,
And you honored me by making it.

When you were eighteen I cried because you had to get your GED due to an error I made,
You thanked me by never blaming me.

When you were nineteen I didn't pay for your college education,
You thanked me by being an honor student and winning an honors scholarship in spite of my neglect.

When you were twenty and I asked you about whom you might be dating,
You thanked me by letting me join in and we talked like girls at a slumber party.

When you were twenty-one and I asked about your future plans,
You thanked me for my interest by sharing them all with me.

When you were twenty-two and graduated college and I was not there,
You thanked me by once again understanding my situation and not placing blame.

When you were twenty-three and I gave you anything for your apartment,
You thanked me profusely and treated it as though it were a treasure.

When you were twenty-four and you met a man that you might be joining with for the future,
You again met my inquiries with excitement and inclusion into your affairs.

When you were twenty-five I had no opportunity yet to pay for a wedding nor the funds,
You thanked me by understanding and not expecting anything from me that I could not give and loving me anyway.

When I am sixty and I if I fall ill and need you to care for me,
You will give me your love and your care and even your home if I need it and it will be the ultimate in your thankfulness to me,

And when I, at last, go with God, you will never have to worry about anything ever crashing down on your heart because of what you never did,

Because you will have done it ALL!!!!!