Just For This Day

By Sally Meyer

Just for this morning, I am going to smile whenever I see your face, and laugh when I feel like crying. 

Just for this morning, I will let you wake up softly, all rumpled in your flannel pajamas, and hold you until you are ready to stir. 

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how beautiful you are. 

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry to pick you up and take you to the park to play. 

Just for this morning, I am going to eat a huge breakfast , with bacon, eggs, toast and waffles, and you don't have to eat any. 

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that 100 piece puzzle together. 

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off and sit with you in the garden blowing 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 who you might have been before your diagnosis. 

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to 'fix' things. 

Just for this afternoon, I will let you put all kinds of barrettes in my hair and lipstick on my face, and I will tell you how pretty you have made me look. 

Just for this afternoon, I will take you to McDonalds and buy us both a Happy Meal, so that 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 we love you. 

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the bathtub and not get angry when you throw water over your sister's head. 

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch swing and count all the stars. 

Just for this evening, I will bring you glasses of water, and snuggle beside you for three hours, and miss my favorite show on TV. 

Just for this evening, When I kneel down to pray, I will simply be grateful for all that I have and not ask for anything. 

Except just one more day.