I Loved You Enough

The following poem is dedicated to my adult children, Redonia and Trent. I hope you KNOW that I loved you enough......! I'm also proud you realize somethings really did hurt me more. As you work with children in various roles of christian school teacher, Sunday School teacher, children's choir director, youth pastor, or helping to mentor outreach children; I'm honored you repeat things that worked in helping to make you the great young adults that you are. Redonia, I hear me in you! Trent you are so matter of fact! I certainly was not perfect but thank you both for loving me in spite of my mistakes. I'm glad you realize I did all in attempt to help make you responsible adults!

I loved you enough...to ask where you were going, with whom,

and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough...to insist that you save your money

and buy a bike for yourself

even though we could afford to buy one for you.

I loved you enough...to help you discover

that your new friend was a creep.

I loved you enough...to make you go pay for the bubble gum

you had taken and tell the clerk,

"I stole this yesterday and want to pay for it."

I loved you enough...to stand over you for two hours

while you cleaned your room,

a job that should have taken 15 minutes.

I loved you enough...to let you see anger, disappointment,

and tears in my eyes.

Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.

I loved you enough...to let you assume

the responsibility for your actions

even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.

But most of all,

I loved you enough...to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it.

--Author Unknown