Deprived Perfect

As our children were born,
we wanted them to be perfect.
When they were babies,
we wanted them to smile and be content playing with their toys.
we wanted them to be happy and to laugh continually
instead of crying and being demanding.
we wanted them to see the beautiful side of life.

As they grew older,
we wanted them to be giving instead of selfish.
we wanted them to skip the terrible twos.
we wanted them to stay innocent forever.

As they became teenagers,
we wanted them to be obedient and not rebellious, mannerly and not mouthy.
we wanted them to be full of love, gentle and kindhearted.
"Oh, God, give me a child like this" was often our prayer.
One day he did. Some call him Deprived... I call him Perfect!!