I Love You Enough

 "You don't love me anymore".  How many times have your kids said that one to you? And how many times have you as a parent resisted the urge to tell them how much?

Someday when my children are old enough to understand the logic that motivates parents, I will tell them.

I love you enough to bug you about where you are going, with whom, and what time you would get home.

I love you enough to buy you a skateboard or a bicycle, when I know what you get with it are abrasions, bruises, or fractures.

I love you enough to be silent and let you discover your "best friend" is a creep.

I love you enough to allow you to wink to that beautiful girl in the neighborhood when I know it is too early for you to do it.

I love you enough to stand over you for two hours while you clean your bedroom, a job that would take me only fifteen minutes.

I love you enough to say, "Yes you can go malling with your friends on Father's day."

1 love you enough to make excuses for your lack of respect or the bad manners you show to others.

I love you enough to admit I was wrong and asked your forgiveness.

I loved you enough to ignore what every parent did or said.

I love you enough to let you stumble, fall, hurt, and fail.

I loved you enough to let you assume responsibility for your actions.

I loved you enough to accept you for what you are, not what I wanted you to be.

But most of all, I LOVE YOU ENOUGH TO SAY NO WHEN YOU HATED ME FOR IT.

That was the hardest part of all.