A little boy came up to his mother in the kitchen one evening while she was fixing supper, and he handed her a piece of paper that he had been writing on.

After his mom dried her hands on an apron, she read it, and this is what it said:

For cutting the grass: $5.00

For cleaning up my room this week: $1.00

For going to the store for you: .50

Baby-sitting my brother while you went shopping: .25

Taking out the garbage: $1.00

For getting a good report card: $5.00

For cleaning up and raking the yard: $2.00

Total owed: $14.75

Well, his mother looked at him standing there, and the boy could see the memories flashing through her mind. She picked up the pen, turned over the paper he'd written on, and this is what she wrote:

For the nine months I nurtured you here
while you were growing inside me there:
No Charge.

For all the nights that I've sat up with you,
doctored and nursed and prayed for you:
No Charge.

For all the trying times, and all the tears
that you've caused through the years:
No Charge.

For all the nights that were filled with dread,
and for the worries I knew were ahead:
No Charge.

For the toys, food, clothes,
and even wiping your runny nose:
No Charge.

When you add it up, the cost of my love is:
No Charge, Son.

When the boy finished reading what his mother had written, there were big tears in his eyes, and he looked straight at his mother and said, "Mom, I sure do love you".

And then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote: "PAID IN FULL"


~ Author Unknown

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  • Dear Debbie,

    You know, this post is also a song that you will find in my videos, it's in french, but you can listen to it and i am sure you will also understand, that, as you, i cried  when i hear it. It's an absolutely heart moving song. here is the link :http://my.englishclub.com/video/cadeau-paid-in-full-marie

  • Hello ngtdnghia,
    "Paid in full" means that you are free of debt, that you have paid it all.
  • Hello Atika and Nebia,
    Thanks for your comment. Yes i think this text is very moving it is the english translation of the french song "Cadeau" by Marie Laforêt. If you have the chance to find it on internet do not hesitated and listen to it. I think you will like it even if you do not understand the french lyrics.
    Manuela
  • I really don't get the meaning of "PAID IN FULL" can you explain more clearly, please!
    I love this story!
  • I have tears in my eyes!
    It is just what I always say to my son when he starts grumbling!
    But experience of motherhood is for me the best moment of my life.
    thank you sister, you always make me react to your words
  • very nice dear,
    if the son will pay all pain of his mother ,she will be rich !!but the feeling of motherhood is the great wealth.
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