Dear Ann Landers,
am a young mother who just had her third child. Several years ago-at least six or seven-you printed a prayer that I keep under the glass in my dressing room. That prayer by Marjorie Holmes helped me keep my sanity. I am not exaggerating when I say that. My copy is getting yellow, and it may fall apart any day now. Will you please print it again, not only for me, but for other young mothers who may never have seen it? It's a beauty. -Content in Detroit

Dear Content,
With pleasure. It's one of my favorites. Marjorie Holmes' book I've Got to Talk to Somebody, God (published by Double-day) has this lovely piece and many others. Every mother who reads it will see herself. On behalf of the millions of mothers who love their children but are, alas, less than perfect, I thank you for requesting a rerun. A Prayer for Cross Mothers Oh God, I was so cross to the children today! Forgive me. I was dis-couraged and tired-and I took it out on them. Forgive my bad temper, my impatience, and most of all, my yelling. I am so ashamed as I think of it. I want to kneel down by each of their beds, wake them up and ask them to forgive me. But I can't. They wouldn't understand. I must go on living with the memory of this awful day, my unjust tirades. Hours later, I can still see the fear in their eyes as they scurried around, trying to appease me-thinking my anger and maniacal raving was their fault. Oh God, the pathetic helplessness of children! Their innocence be-fore the awful monster-the enraged adult. And how forgiving they are, hugging me so fervently at bedtime, kiss-ing me good night. All I can do is straighten a cover, touch a small head burrowed in a pillow and hope with all my heart that they will forgive me. Lord, in failing these little ones whom you have put in my keeping, I am failing you. Please let your infinite patience and goodness replenish me for tomorrow. Children are our most precious resources. They are vulnerable and deserve our protection from the predators that seek them out.