One evening, a mother was busy preparing supper in the kitchen when her young son walked up to her, holding a piece of paper. He had a look of serious anticipation on his face as he handed it over.
After wiping her hands on her apron, the mother looked down and realized her son had written out an official invoice. It read:
For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00
For going to the grocery store for you: $0.50
Babysitting my little brother while you went shopping: $0.25
Taking out the garbage: $1.00
For getting a great report card: $5.00
For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00
Total Owed: $14.75
The mother looked at her son standing there, waiting for his payout. She didn’t get angry. Instead, a flood of memories flashed through her mind. She picked up a pen, turned the paper over, and began to write her own list:
For the nine months I carried you while you grew inside me: No Charge
For all the sleepless nights I sat up with you, doctoring and praying for you: No Charge
For all the trying times, the worries, and the tears you’ve caused through the years: No Charge
For all the nights filled with dread, wondering what the future held for you: No Charge
For your toys, food, clothes, and even wiping your runny nose: No Charge
Son, when you add it all up, the true cost of my love is: No Charge.
When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, huge tears welled up in his eyes. He looked straight at her, choked back his tears, and said, “Mom, I sure do love you.”
Then, he grabbed the pen and, in giant, bold letters across the bottom of the page, he wrote: “PAID IN FULL”.
A Thought for Today: You will never truly realize how much your parents are worth until you become a parent yourself. Be a giver, not just a taker—especially with those who gave you life. There is so much more to give back than just money.
