Children

"If I hadn't had children,
I probably would have had
more money and material things.
I probably would have
gone more places, gotten more sleep
and pampered myself more.
My life would have been much more boring and predictable.

As a result of being a parent,
I have laughed harder,
and cried more often.
I have worried more
and hurried more.
I've had less sleep but somehow I've had more fun.
I've learned more and grown more.
My heart has ached harder,
and I've loved to a capacity
beyond my imagination.
I've given more of myself,
but I've derived more meaning from life."

--author unknown