I pray that I may let my child live his own
life and not the one I wish I had lived.
Therefore, guard me against burdening him
with doing what I failed to do.

Help me to see her missteps today in perspective
against the long road she must travel
and grant me the grace to be patient with
her slow pace.

Give me the wisdom to know when to smile at
the small mischiefs of his age and when to
show firmness against the impulse he fears
and cannot handle.

Help me to hear the anguish in her heart through
the din of angry words or across the gulf of
brooding silence. And having heard, grant
me the ability to bridge the gap between us,
with understanding.

I pray that I may raise my voice more in joy at
what he is, then vexation at what he is not, so
that each day he may grow in sureness of himself.

Help me to regard her with genuine affection so
she will feel affection for others. Then give
me the strength, Oh Lord, to free her so she
can move strongly on her way

(taken from "Volunteer News," Division of Family Services, St. Charles County

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