Here is a little mouth to kiss; 

here are two more feet 

to make music with their 

pattering about my nursery. 

Here is a soul to train for God,

 and the body in which it dwells 

is worth all it will cost, 

since it is abode of a kingly tenant. 

I may see less of friends, 

but I have gained one dearer than them all. 

Yes, my precious baby, 

you are welcome to your mother’s heart, 

welcome to her time, 

her strength, 

her health, 

to her most tender cares, 

to her life~long prayers! 

Oh how rich I am, 

how truly, 

how marvelously blesssed!

Elizabeth Prentiss 
Stepping Heavenward