If I hadn't had children, I probably would have had
more money and material things.
I probably would have gone more places,
gotten more sleep, pampered myself more --
my life would have been much more boring and predictable.
As a result of being a parent,
I have laughed harder, cried more often --
I have worried more and hurried more.
I've had much less sleep,
but somehow I've had much more fun.
I've learned more, grown more.
My heart has ached harder,
and I've loved to a capacity beyond my imagination.
I've given more of myself,
but I've derived more meaning from life.
