Counter added 8/25/99
August 25, 1999These are mostly stories that I have found somewhere on the internet that are inspirational or touching thoughts for parents everywhere. If you know who the authors are on any of the pieces I've listed as "unknown" please let me know and I'll be glad to give them proper credit.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
- Elizabeth Stone
My hands were busy through the day I didn't have much time to play The little games you asked me to, I didn't have much time for you. I'd wash your clothes, I'd sew and cook, But when you'd bring your picture book And asked me please to share your fun, I'd say, "A little later, Son." I'd tuck you in all safe at night And hear your prayers, turn out the light, Then tiptoe softly to the door... I wish I'd stayed a minute more.For life is short, the years rush past... A little boy grows up so fast. No longer is he at your side, His precious secrets to confide. The picture books are put away, There are no longer games to play, No good-night kiss, no prayers to hear, That all belongs to yesteryear. My hands, once busy, now are still. The days are long and hard to fill. I wish I could go back and do The little things you asked me to!
My son starts school today. It's going to be strange and new to him for a while. And I wish you would sort of treat him gently.
You see, up to now, he's been king of the roost. He's been boss of the back yard. I have always been around to repair his wounds, and to soothe his feelings.
But now - things are going to be different.
This morning, he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on his great adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow.
To live his life in teh world he has to live in will require faith and love and courage.
So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by his young hand and teach him the things he will have to know. Teach him - but gently, if you can. Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader; that for every enemy there is a friend. Teach him the wonders of books.
Give him quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun, and flowers on the green hill. Teach him it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.
Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone else tells him they are wrong. Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder, but never to put a prive on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob...and to stand and fight if he thinks he's right.
Teach him gently, World, but don't coddle him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.
This is a big order, World, but see what you can do. He's such a nice little fellow.
"Don't."
"Don't what?" Adam asked.
"Don't eat the forbidden fruit," said God.
"Forbidden fruit? Really? Where is it?" Adam and Eve asked, jumping up and down excitedly.
"It's over there," said God, wondering why he hadn't stopped after making the elephants. A few minutes later God saw the kids having an apple break and he was very angry.
"Didn't I tell you not to eat that fruit?" the First Parent asked.
"Uh huh," Adam replied.
"Then why did you do it?" God asked exasperatedly.
"I dunno," Adam answered.
God's punishment was that Adam and Eve should have children of their own. Thus the pattern was set and it has never changed. But there is a reassurance in this story.
If you have persistently and lovingly tried to give your children wisdom and they haven't taken it, don't be so hard on yourself. If God had trouble handling his children, what makes you think it should be a piece of cake for you?
Boys are found everywhere---on top of, underneath, inside of, climbing on, swinging from, running around or jumping to. Mothers love them, little girls ignore them, older sisters and brothers tolerate them, adults ignore them, and Heaven protects them.
A boy is Truth with dirt on his face. Beauty with a cut on its finger, Wisdom with bubble gum in its hair and Hope of the future with a frog in its pocket.
When you are busy a boy is an inconsiderate, bothersome, intruding jangle of noise. When you want him to make an impression, his brain turns to jelly or else he becomes a savage, sadistic, jungle creature bent on destroying the world and himself with it.
A boy is a composite---he has the appetite of a horse, the digestion of a sword swallower, the energy of a pocket-size atomic bomb, the curiosity of a cat, the lungs of a dictator, the imagination of a Paul Bunyan, the shyness of a violet, the audacity of a steel trap, the enthusiasm of a fire cracker, and when he makes something he has five thumbs on each hand.
He likes ice cream, knives, saws, Christmas, comic books, the boy across the street, woods, water (in its natural habitat), large animals, Dads, trains, Saturday mornings and fire engines.
He is not much for Sunday school, company, school, books without pictures, music lessons, neckties, barbers, girls, overcoats, adults, or bedtime.
None else is so early to rise or so late to supper. Nobody else gets so much fun out of trees, dogs and breezes. Nobody else can cram in one pocket- a rusty knife, a half eaten apple, three feet of string, an empty Bull Durham sack, two gum drops, six cents, a sling shot, a chunk of unknown substance and a genuine supersonic ring with a secret compartment.
A boy is a magical creature---you can lock him out of your kitchen, but you can't lock him out of your heart. You can get him out of your study, but not out of your mind.
Might as well give up---he is your captor, your jailer, your boss and your master. A freckled-faced, pint-sized, cat-chasing bundle of noise.
When you come home at night with only the shattered pieces of your hopes and dreams-- he can mend them all like new with the two magic words-- Hi MOM!
A little girl can be sweeter (and badder) oftener than anyone else in the world. She can jitter around and stomp, and make funny noises that frazzle your nerves, yet just when you open your mouth, she stands there demure with that special look in her eyes.
A girl is innocence playing in the mud, Beauty standing on its head, and Motherhood dragging a doll by the foot. Girls are available in five colors-- black, white, red, yellow, or brown, yet Mother Nature always manages to select your favorite color when you place your order. They disprove the law of supply and demand-- there are millions of little girls, but each is as precious as rubies.
God borrows from many creatures to make a little girl. He uses the song of a bird, the squeal of a pig, the stubbornness of a mule, the antics of a monkey, the spryness of a grasshopper, the curiosity of a cat, the speed of a gazelle, the slyness of a fox, the softness of a kitten, and to top it all off, He adds the mysterious mind of a woman.
A little girl likes new shoes, party dresses, small animals, first grade, noise makers, the girl nest door, dolls, make-believe, dancing lessons, ice cream, kitchens, coloring books, make-up, cans of water, going visiting, tea parties and one boy. Se doesn't care much for visitors, boys in general, large dogs, hand-me-downs, straight chairs, vegetables, snow suits, or staying in the front yard.
She is loudest when you are thinking, the prettiest when she has provoked you, the busiest at bed time, the quietest when you want to show her off and the most flirtatious when she absolutely must not get the best of you again.
Who else can cause you more grief, joy, irritation, satisfaction, embarrassment, and genuine delight that this combination of Eve, Salome, and Florence Nightengale? She can muss up your home, your hair, and your dignity-- spend your money, your time, and your temper-- then just when your patience is ready to crack, her sunshine peeks through and you've lost again.
Yes, she is a nerve-racking nuisance, just a noisy bundle of mischief. But when your dreams tumble down and the whole world is a mess-- when it seems you are pretty much of a fool after all-- she can make you a king when she climbs on your knee and whispers. "I love you best of all!"
"But tell me, here in Heaven, I don't do anything else but sing and smile, that's enough for me to be happy." He said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy."
"And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me, if I don't know the language that men talk?" "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak."
"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?" God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray."
"I've heard that on earth there are bad men, who will protect me?" "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."
"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore." "Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you."
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard, and the child in a hurry asked softly, "Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel's name." God silenced all fear when He said, "Your angel's name is of no importance. You will simply call her 'Mommy.'"
Counter added 8/25/99
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