A Mother's Plea

 My dear daughter,

  the day you see me old,

  I ask. 

 please be patient,

  but above all

  try to understand.

If when we talk,

I repeat the same thing a thousand times,

do not interrupt me to say "I already told that"

only listen to me please.

And remember the days when you were a kid

and I read the same story 

night after night 

until you stayed asleep.

When I want to bathe,

do not scold me 

and please do not try to embarrass me,

just remember the times I had to chase you

with the thousand excuses 

that you used as a kid.

When you see my ignorance of the new technology,

give me the time to learn,

and please do not do those eyes

or those desperate faces.

Remember my dear, 

I taught you to do many things

such as eating properly,

getting dressed 

and combing

 for yourself

and how to confront

and deal with life.

The day I notice that I'm getting old,

please bear with me

and try to understand everything. 

If you occasionally lose the memory 

or the thread of the conversation,

give me time to remember 

and if I can not,

do not get nervous, 

impatient 

or arrogant. 

Just keep in mind

in your heart

that the most important thing for me 

is being with you 

and listening to you.

And when my tired old legs  

do not leave me walking as before,

give me your hand,

in the same way that I offered them

 when you took your first steps.

When these days come, 

you should not feel sad

or incompetent 

to see me so,

I ask only 

that you're with me,

you try to understand me 

and help me

while I finish my life 

with love.

And with great affection 

for the gift of time and life,

we had the joy of sharing together,

I appreciate it.

With a huge smile

and the immense love I have always had,

just want to say 

I love you,

my dear daughter ......

Anonymous

                               (translated from a Spanish posting, and edited, and re-formated)