Tell my children

 Some day I'll tell my children

Someday, when my child is old enough to appreciate what motivates a parent, I'll tell them...

I loved you enough to bug you about where you were going, who with and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough to worry and nag about your health.

I loved you enough to choose your temporary upset, in the hope that lessons would bring you longtime happiness.

I loved you enough to be "overprotective."

I loved you enough to not make excuses for your bad manners and lack of respect.

I loved you enough to choose to put myself last, every day.

I loved you enough to ignore what "every other parent" did.

I loved you enough to remove people that I loved from my life, so that I could protect you.

I loved you enough to let you stumble, fail and fall, so that you could learn to stand alone.

But most of all, I loved you enough to risk you hating me for decisions that I made in the hope that I was doing what was best for you, that was the hardest part of all.