Mother's Day

A Poem

lt's mother's day
The day I get to tell the kids what
to do
     and they might actually listen
I can tell my husband to take me to what store I want
And he'll say yes.
But it's not really a day off
My kids still need me here
I might not have to wipe their butts
     or tie their shoes
But my presence is still wanted
As they grow into themselves.
One day they'll leave the nest
They'll go through a phase of 
     hating my guts
Everything I do or say will be wrong.
But that's just a part of their growth.
They'll be discovering their own way.
But eventually, I hope,
They'll look back fondly
On how I was when we were all much younger
Maybe they'll forgive me for my faults
And if they don't, I'd be disappointed
     in myself
For having failed them.
If they ever said "maybe if you did...
Maybe if you didn't..."
Any appologies I could make 
     would be too late
But I would try.
I might not ever really know 
How my actions now
     will affect them later
So all I can do today is eat my pancakes
Say my thanks and I love yous
And be grateful they still need me
In their small ways
Because I still need them
     in very big ones.