One evening, while a mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner, her little boy walked up to her, holding a piece of paper he’d been working on.
She dried her hands on her apron, then unfolded the paper to read what he had written:
For cutting the grass: $5.00
For cleaning my room this week: $1.00
For going to the store for you: $.50
For babysitting my little brother while you went shopping: $.25
For taking out the trash: $1.00
For getting a good 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, his hopeful eyes awaiting a response. She could almost hear the echoes of years spent caring for him in her mind.
With a deep breath, she picked up a pen, flipped the paper over, and wrote her reply:
For the nine months I carried you inside me, nurturing you as you grew: No Charge
For all the sleepless nights, comforting you when you were sick or scared: No Charge
For every tear I’ve wiped, every moment of worry, every sacrifice I’ve made: No Charge
For the toys, the meals, the clothes, the endless care—and even wiping your nose: No Charge
For the love, the lessons, and the endless support I’ve given: No Charge
Son, when you add it up, the cost of my love is: No Charge.
Tears welled up in the boy’s eyes as he read his mother’s words. He looked at her, overwhelmed with emotion, and said softly, “Mom, I sure do love you.”
Then, with a trembling hand, he took the pen and wrote in bold letters: “PAID IN FULL.”
You never truly understand the value of your parents until you become one.
Remember, love isn’t about counting what we give or receive—it’s about giving from the heart, without asking for anything in return.
