A Mothers Wages

If I would charge one cent each time

I washed my children's clothes

Or tied a shoe, or gave a bath,

Or wiped a runny nose,

Or made a bed or acted as

Their judge or referee,

It would be possible that I

Could live in luxury.

If I were paid a nickle for

Each diaper that I've pinned,

For every BQand-Aid I've applied

When arms or legs were skinned,

For every toy that I've picked up

And put back in its niche,

There wouldn't be a single doubt--

Why, I could be quite rich.

If just one dime would be my fee

For giving them a pill,

For making meals and wiping up

The milk they always spill,

For darning scores of tiny socks,

For fixing things that break,

It wouldn't be too long before

A fortune I would make.

Although it's true I don't receive

A solitary cent

I'm repaid in many ways

For all the time I've spent.

Their smiles, their love is my reward

For this unending care,

And I am richer, yes, by far

Than any millionaire.

Author Unknown