A MOTHER'S 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 nickel for
Each diaper that I've pinned,

For every Band-Aid I've applied 
When arms or legs were skinned, 
For every toy that I've picked up 
And put back in it's 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