I Loved You Enough...

I received this poem in a forwarded e-mail. I don't know who wrote it, but wanted to share it.

I loved you enough...

to ask where you were going,

with whom,and what time you would be home.

I loved you enough...

to insist that you save your money and buy a bike for yourself
even though we could afford to buy one for you.
I loved you enough...

to help you discover that your new friend was a creep.
I loved you enough...

to make you go pay for the bubble gum
you had taken and tell the clerk,
"I stole this yesterday and want to pay for it."
I loved you enough...

to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned your room,
a job that should have taken 15 minutes.
I loved you enough...

to let you see anger, disappointment, and tears in my eyes.
Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.
I loved you enough...

to let you assume the responsibility for your actions
even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.
But most of all,
I loved you enough...

to say NO when I knew you would hate me for it.