Oh, mothers, so weary, discouraged,

Worn out with the cares of the day,

You often grow cross and impatient,

Complain of the noise and the play.

For the day brings many vexations,

So many things go amiss.

But, mothers, whatever may vex you,

Send the children to bed with a kiss

The dear little feet wander often,

Perhaps from the pathways of right.

The dear little hands find new mischief

To try you from morning 'til night.

But think of the desolate mothers

Who'd give all the world for your bliss.

And as thanks for your infinite blessings,

Send the children to bed with a kiss.

For someday their noise will not vex you.

The silence will hurt you far more.

You will long for the sweet childish voices,

For a sweet childish face at the door.

And to press a child's face to your bosom,

You'd give all the world just for this.

For the comfort t'will give you in sorrow,

Send the children to bed with a kiss.

Author unknown

You may not find things all in place,

Friend, when you enter here.

But, we're a home where children live,

We hold them very dear.

And you may find small fingerprints

And smudges on the wall.

When the kids are gone, we'll clean them up,

Right now we're playing ball.

For there's one thing of which we're sure,

These children are on loan.

One day they're always underfoot,

Next thing you know, they're gone.

That's when we'll have a well kept house,

When they're off on their own.

Right now, this is where children live,

A loved and lived in home.

Judith Bond

One day as I was picking

the toys up off the floor,

I noticed a small hand print

on the wall beside the door.

I knew that it was something

that I'd seen most every day,

but this time when I saw it there

I wanted it to stay.

Then tears welled up inside my eyes,

I knew it wouldn't last

for every mother knows

her children grow up way too fast.

Just then I put my chores aside

and held my children tight.

I sang to them sweet lullabies

and rocked into the night.

Sometimes we take for granted,

all those things that seem so small.

Like one of God's great treasures...

A small hand print on the wall.

Author unknown