setup: [E-Mail Ministry] Only One Childhood

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ONLY ONE CHILDHOOD

I stopped to watch my little girl

busy playing in her room.

In one hand was a plastic phone;

in the other a toy broom.

I listened as she was speaking

to her make believe little friend

and I'll never forget the words she said,

even though it was pretend.

She said "Suzie's in the corner

cuz she's not been very good.

She didn't listen to a word I said

or do the things she should."

In the corner I saw her baby doll

all dressed in lace and pink.

It was obvious she'd been put there

to sit alone and think.

My daughter continued her "conversation,"

as I sat down on the floor.

She said, "I'm all fed up I just don't know

what to do with her anymore.

She whines whenever I have to work

and wants to play games, too;

and never lets me do the things

that I just have to do.

She tries to help me with the dishes,

but her arms just cannot reach

and she doesn't know how to fold the towels

and I don't have time to teach.

I have a lot of work to do

and a big house to keep clean.

I don't have time to sit and play--

don't you know what I mean?"

And that day I thought a lot about

making some changes in my life;

as I listened to her innocent words

that cut me like a knife.

I hadn't been paying enough attention

to what I hold most dear.

I'd been caught up in responsibilities

that increased throughout the year.

But now my attitude has changed

because, in my heart, I realize

I've seen the world in a different light

through my little darling's eyes.

So, let the cobwebs have the corners

and the dust bunnies rule the floor,

I'm not going to worry about

keeping up with them any more.

I'm going to fill the house with memories

of a child and her mother

for God grants us only ONE childhood,

and we will never get another.

-- Author Unknown

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