Several years back my good friend Kassie made this adorable tag. The message on the inside of the tag is even better!
Money, of course, can buld a charming house,
but only Love can furnish it with a feeling of home.
Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch,
but Love may decide to enclose a little note inside.
Money can provide a TV,
but Love controls it and cares enough to say 'no'
and take the guff that comes with it.
Obligation sends the children to bed on time,
but Love tucks the covers in around their necks
and passes out the kisses and hugs. (even to teenagers)
Obligation can cook a meal,
but Love embellishes the table with a potted ivy
trailing around slender candles.
Duty writs many letters,
but Love adds a joke or a picture or a stick of gum inside.
Compulsion keeps a sparkling house,
but Love and Prayer stand a better chance
of producing a happy family.
Duty gets offended quickly if it isn't appreciated
but Love learns to laugh a lot
and to work for the sheer joy of doing it.
Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often,
Love adds a little chocolate.
I did a search and found this book online that it must have come from.
I needed this reminder today. We got a late start to our morning and when that happens we are all grumpy and a little stressed. I hate sending my kids off to school with that start to their day. I know a lot of how their morning goes is dependent on me and my own attitude. First thing I need to do is start getting up before them. I am also considering trying an experiment one of my friends did where she made her kids a hot breakfast every morning before school. She said it really made a difference to her kids- there was less fighting and more unity. I am willing to give anything a try. I'll let you know how it goes.
