The Play's the Thing

by Jayne Jaudon Ferrer
in Chicken Soup for the Mother's Soul (p.214)

Forgive me, Lord
for all the tasks
that went undone today.
But this morning when my child
toddled in and said "Mommy play?"
I simply had to say yes.
And between the puzzles and trucks
and blocks and dolls and old hats and
books and giggles,
we shared a thousand special thoughts,
a hundred hopes and dreams and hugs.
And tonight, when prayer time came
and he folded his hands and softly whispered,
"Thank you, God, for Mommy and Daddy and
toys and French fries, but 'specially
for Mommy playing,"
I knew it was a day well wasted.
And I knew You'd understand.