My Gift Poem by Susan Christiansen

My children stayed home sick today.
1,2, and 3 felt awful, they say.
“I have a temp, ”
“My stomach hurts, ”
“I have a migraine! ” the last one blurts.

The teacher will stay home
To be the mom.
To cook and provide care,
To keep things calm.

An hour of driving,
Two hours of plans,
A stop for some shopping,
‘sick food, ’ it demands.

Then rush back to home
To care for all there.
And laundry, and dishes,
And pull out my hair.

The more that they grow,
I am wanted much less.
Friends, music, athletics,
Hair, computer, dress.

But when they’re sick,
My babies come back,
They cuddle and whine,
Want to sit on my lap.

I smile and remember
When they ALL fit.
When yesterday they were tiny
And I enjoy today’s “gift”.