A forwarded email came with a presentation on the “Price of Children“.  The purpose of that communication was to show how, even though bringing up children costs a significant sum, the benefits far outweigh the costs involved. 

Be that as it may, it also served as a great reminder of the joy that only children can bring to our lives.  Here’s a brief extract:

As a parent, you get …

• Naming rights : First, middle and last!
• Glimpses of God every day, and giggles under the cover, each night
• More love than your heart can hold
• Endless wonder… over rocks, ants, clouds and cookies
• A partner for blowing bubbles… and flying kites
• Someone to laugh with… no matter what the boss said, or how the stocks performed
• To finger-paint, play hide-n-seek, catch fireflies
• Keep reading… and reading… the Adventures of piglet and Pooh
• Go to Disney movies… and wish on stars
• Handmade greeting cards with backward letters!
• To be a hero just for removing a splinter, or filling a wading pool
• A front row seat to witness the first step, word, bra, date, drive!
• Another branch added to your family tree… immortality!

In the eyes of a child, you rank right up there under God… You have all the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away the monsters under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits – so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost.

Isn’t it all worth it, just for one of these benefits ?!