THE MOTHER

1...When you were 1 year old, she fed you and bathed you. You thanked her bycrying all the night.

2.. When you were 2 years old, she taught you to walk. You thanked her byrunning away when she called.

3...When you were 3 years old, she made all your meals with love. Youthanked her by tossing your plate on the floor.

4.... When you were 4 years old, she gave you some crayons. You thanked herby coloring the Walls.

5.....When you were 5 years old, she dressed you for the holidays. You thanked her by looping into the nearest pile of mud.

6.....When you were 6 years old, she walked you into school. You thankedher by screaming, "I'M NOT GOING".

7......When you were 7 years old, she bought you a baseball. You thankedher by throwing it through the next-door-neighbor window.

8......When you were 8 years old, she handed you an ice cream. You thankedher by dripping it all over you lap.

9.........When you were 9 years old, she paid for piano lessons. Youthanked her by never even bothering to practice it.

10...... When you were 10 years old, she drove you all day, from soccer togymnastic to one birthday party after another. You thanked her by jumpingout of the car and never looking back.

11.........When you were 11 years old, she took you and your friends to themovies. You thanked her by asking to sit in the different row.

12....... When you were 12 years old, she warned you not to watch certainTV shows. You thanked her by waiting until she left the house.

13.......When you were 13, she suggested a haircut that was becoming. Youthanked her by telling her she had no taste.

14.........When you were 14, she paid for a month away at summer camp. Youthanked her by forgetting to write a single letter.

15........When you were 15, she came home from work, looking for a hug. Youthanked her by having your bedroom door locked.

16..........When you were 16, she taught you how to drove her car. Youthanked her by taking it every chance you could.

17....... When you were 17, she was expecting an important call. Youthanked her by being on the phone all night.

18......When you were 18, she cried at your school graduation. You thankedher by staying out partying until dawn.

19.......When you were 19, she paid for your college tuition, drove you tocampus, carried your bags. You thanked her by saying good-bye outside thedorm so you wouldn't be embarrassed in front of you friends.

20..........When you were 20, she asked whether you were seeing anyone. Youthanked her by saying "It's none of your business".

21..........When you were 21, she suggested certain careers for yourfuture. You thanked her by saying "I don't want to be like you".

22.......When you were 22, she hugged you at your college graduation. Youthanked her by asking whether she could pay for a trip to Europe.

23.........When you were 23, she gave you furniture for your firstapartment. You thanked her by telling your friend it was ugly.

24........When you were 24, she met your fiancé and asked about your plansfor the future. You thanked her by glaring and growling, "Muuhh-ther,please!"

25........When you were 25, she helped to pay for your wedding, and shecried and told how deeply she loved you. You thanked her by moving halfwayacross the country.

26....... When you were 30, she called with some advice on the baby. Youthanked by telling her, "Things are different now."

27.........When you were 40, she called to remind you of a relative'sbirthday. You thanked her by saying you were "really busy right now."

28......... When you were 50, she fell ill and needed you to take care ofher. You thanked her by reading about the burden parents become to theirchildren.

29..........And then, one day, she quietly died. And everything you neverdid, came crashing down like thunder on your heart.

IF SHE' S STILL AROUND, NEVER FORGET TO

LOVE HER MORE THAN EVER

AND IF SHE' S NOT,

REMEMBER HER UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.