Good Thought

If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again

by Diane Loomans

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd finger paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch more with my eyes.

I would care to know less and know to care more.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.

I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.

I'd model less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

The Laughing Children

I Would Gather Children

~author unknown

Some would gather money

Along the path of life,

Some would gather roses,

And rest from worldly strife.

But I would gather children

From among the thorns of sin,

I would seek a wayward curl,

And an awkward, silly grin.

For money cannot enter

In that land of endless day,

And roses that are gathered

Soon will wilt along the way.

But, oh, the laughing children,

As I cross the sunset sea,

And the gates swing wide to Heaven

I can take them in with me!

For My Child

For a Child

by Fannie Stearns Davis

Your friends shall be the Tall Wind,

The River and the Tree,

The Sun that laughs and marches,

The Swallows and the Sea.

Your prayers shall be the murmur

Of grasses in the rain;

The song of wildwood thrushes

That makes God glad again.

And you shall run and wander,

And you shall dream and sing

Of brave things and bright things

Beyond the swallow's wings.

And you shall envy no man,

Nor hurt your heart with sighs,

For I will keep you simple

That God may make you wise.