When you came into the world, she held you
in her arms.
You thanked her by weeping your eyes out.
When you were 1 year old, she fed you and
bathed you.
You thanked her by crying all night long.
When you were 2 years old, she taught you to
walk.
You thanked her by running away when she
called.
When you were 3 years old, she made all your
meals with love.
You thanked her by tossing your plate on the
floor.
When you were 4 years old, she gave you some
crayons.
You thanked her by coloring the dining room
table.
When you were 5 years old, she dressed you
for the holidays.
You thanked her by plopping into the nearest
pile of mud.
When you were 6 years old, she walked you to
school.
You thanked her by screaming, “I’m not
going!”
When you were 7 years old, she bought you a
baseball.
You thanked her by throwing it through the
next-door-neighbor’s window.
When you were 8 years old,
she handed you an ice-cream.
You thanked her by dripping it all over your
lap.
When you were 9 years old, she paid for
piano lessons.
You thanked her by never even bothering to
practice.
When you were 10 years old, she drove you
all day,
from soccer to gymnastics to one birthday
party after another.
You thanked her by jumping out of the car
and never looking back.
When you were 11 years old, she took you and
your friends to the movies.
You thanked her by asking to sit in a
different row.
When you were 12 years old, she warned you
not to watch certain TVshows.
You thanked her by waiting until she left
the house.
Those Teenage Years
When you were 13, she suggested a haircut
that was becoming.Youthankedher by telling her she had no taste.When you were
14, she paid for a month awayat summer camp.You thanked her by forgetting to
write a single letter.Whenyou were 15, she came home from work, looking for a
hug. You thanked her byhaving your bedroom door locked. When you were 16, she
taught you how todrive her car.You thanked her by taking it every chance you
could.When youwere 17, she was expecting an important call.You thanked her by
being on thephone all night.When you were 18, she cried at your high school
graduation.Youthanked her by staying out partying until dawn.
Growing Old and Gray
When you were 19, she paid your college
tuition, drove you to campus,carried your bags. You thanked her by saying
good-bye outside the dorm so youwouldn’t be embarrassed in front of your
friends. When you were 20, she askedwhether you were seeing anyone. You thanked
her by saying, “It’s none of yourbusiness.” When you were 21, she suggested
certain careers for your future. Youthanked her by saying, “I don’t want to be
like you.” When you were 22, shehugged you at your college graduation. You
thanked her by asking whether shecould pay for a trip to Europe. When you were
23, she gave you furniture foryour first apartment. You thanked her by telling
your friends it was ugly. Whenyou were 24, she met your fiance and asked about
your plans for the f