To Our Dear Child:
On the day when you see us old,
weak and weary- - -
Have patience,
and try to understand us- - -
If we get dirty when eating- - -
If we can not dress on our own- - -
Please bear with us and
Remember the times we spent
Feeding you
and dressing you up.
If, when we speak to you,
we repeat the same things over and over again- - -
Do not interrupt us - - -
listen to us.
When you were small,
we had to read to you the same story
a thousand and one times
until you went to sleep.
When we do not want to have a shower,
neither shame
nor scold us- - -
Remember when we had to chase you
with your thousand excuses to get you to the shower?
When you see our ignorance of new technologies- - -
Help us navigate our way through the worldwide webs.
We taught you how to do so many things- - -
To eat the right foods,
To dress appropriately,
To fight for your rights- - -
When, at some moments we lose the memory
or thread of our conversation- - -
Let us have the necessary time to remember- - -
And if we can not,
do not become nervous-- -
As the most important thing is not the conversation,
but surely to be with you
and to have you listening to us- - -
If ever we do not feel like eating,
do not force us.
We know well when we need to,
and when not to eat.
When our tired legs give way
and do not allow us to walk without a cane,
Lend us your hand.
The same way we did
when you tried your first faltering steps.
And when some day we say to you
that we do not want to live any more,
that we want to die- - -
Do not get angry.
Some day, you’ll understand.
Try to understand that our age is not just lived,
but survived.
Some day you will realize that, despite our mistakes,
We always wanted the best for you,
And we tried to prepare the way for you.
You must not feel sad, angry
or ashamed for having us near you.
Instead, try to understand us,
and help us like we did when you were young.
Help us to walk- - -
Help us live the rest of our life with love and dignity.
We will pay you with a smile and by the intense love
We have always had for you in our hearts.
We love you, child.
Mom and Dad 1
On the day when you see us old,
weak and weary- - -
Have patience,
and try to understand us- - -
If we get dirty when eating- - -
If we can not dress on our own- - -
Please bear with us and
Remember the times we spent
Feeding you
and dressing you up.
If, when we speak to you,
we repeat the same things over and over again- - -
Do not interrupt us - - -
listen to us.
When you were small,
we had to read to you the same story
a thousand and one times
until you went to sleep.
When we do not want to have a shower,
neither shame
nor scold us- - -
Remember when we had to chase you
with your thousand excuses to get you to the shower?
When you see our ignorance of new technologies- - -
Help us navigate our way through the worldwide webs.
We taught you how to do so many things- - -
To eat the right foods,
To dress appropriately,
To fight for your rights- - -
When, at some moments we lose the memory
or thread of our conversation- - -
Let us have the necessary time to remember- - -
And if we can not,
do not become nervous-- -
As the most important thing is not the conversation,
but surely to be with you
and to have you listening to us- - -
If ever we do not feel like eating,
do not force us.
We know well when we need to,
and when not to eat.
When our tired legs give way
and do not allow us to walk without a cane,
Lend us your hand.
The same way we did
when you tried your first faltering steps.
And when some day we say to you
that we do not want to live any more,
that we want to die- - -
Do not get angry.
Some day, you’ll understand.
Try to understand that our age is not just lived,
but survived.
Some day you will realize that, despite our mistakes,
We always wanted the best for you,
And we tried to prepare the way for you.
You must not feel sad, angry
or ashamed for having us near you.
Instead, try to understand us,
and help us like we did when you were young.
Help us to walk- - -
Help us live the rest of our life with love and dignity.
We will pay you with a smile and by the intense love
We have always had for you in our hearts.
We love you, child.
Mom and Dad 1
Dance - as though no one is watching you.
Love - as though you have never been hurt before.
Sing - as though no one can hear you.
Live - as though heaven is here on earth.
Love - as though you have never been hurt before.
Sing - as though no one can hear you.
Live - as though heaven is here on earth.
Giving someone, including your children,
all your love
is never an assurance that they'll love you back.
Don't expect love in return,
just wait for it to grow in their hearts
but if it doesn't,
be content it grew in yours.
I believe in children's laughter,
the sweet perfume of a newborn baby's skin
and that every child is entitled to happiness,
decent housing, health care,
proper nutrition
and good education.
I believe that our schools should be places of discovery and growth,
not of danger,
that teachers should be paid more than lawyers
and that parenting should be a required course
in every high school.
I believe that "quality time" is a phoney notion
that cannot substitute
for substantial time spent with our children.
I believe that baseball and other children's games
can be magical
and should be wrestled from screaming,
competitive coaches
and returned to play.
I believe that childhood should be
a time of sand castles and celebration
and that the defense of innocence
is as important as the defense of our borders.
And I believe that our most urgent mission
should be putting the needs of our children first. 2
all your love
is never an assurance that they'll love you back.
Don't expect love in return,
just wait for it to grow in their hearts
but if it doesn't,
be content it grew in yours.
I believe in children's laughter,
the sweet perfume of a newborn baby's skin
and that every child is entitled to happiness,
decent housing, health care,
proper nutrition
and good education.
I believe that our schools should be places of discovery and growth,
not of danger,
that teachers should be paid more than lawyers
and that parenting should be a required course
in every high school.
I believe that "quality time" is a phoney notion
that cannot substitute
for substantial time spent with our children.
I believe that baseball and other children's games
can be magical
and should be wrestled from screaming,
competitive coaches
and returned to play.
I believe that childhood should be
a time of sand castles and celebration
and that the defense of innocence
is as important as the defense of our borders.
And I believe that our most urgent mission
should be putting the needs of our children first. 2
There are things you love to hear
but you would never hear it
from the person whom you would like to hear it from,
but don't be deaf to hear it from the person
who says it with hir heart.
As we grow old,
the beauty steals inwards. 3
but you would never hear it
from the person whom you would like to hear it from,
but don't be deaf to hear it from the person
who says it with hir heart.
As we grow old,
the beauty steals inwards. 3
It hurts to love someone,
even our children,
and not to be loved in return
but what is most painful
is to love someone
and never finds the courage
to let the person know
how you feel.
Our lives begin to end
the day we become silent
about things that matter. 4
So . . .
Children, be kind to your parents:
Parents, love your children.
Now – get in the groove
dance! and . . .
Rock on . . .
even our children,
and not to be loved in return
but what is most painful
is to love someone
and never finds the courage
to let the person know
how you feel.
Our lives begin to end
the day we become silent
about things that matter. 4
So . . .
Children, be kind to your parents:
Parents, love your children.
Now – get in the groove
dance! and . . .
Rock on . . .
Acknowledgements:
Note: the word “hir” is used in this snippet instead of “his/her”,
hopefully to simplify things:
Besides, we need more gender-neutral words, don’t you think?
[1] -Parents’ Wish ~Unknown
[2] -I Believe ~Jane Daugherty
[3] ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
[4] ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Media: Amanda ~Waylon Jennings
Based on a contribution by Sandra Cassell
Note: the word “hir” is used in this snippet instead of “his/her”,
hopefully to simplify things:
Besides, we need more gender-neutral words, don’t you think?
[1] -Parents’ Wish ~Unknown
[2] -I Believe ~Jane Daugherty
[3] ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
[4] ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Media: Amanda ~Waylon Jennings
Based on a contribution by Sandra Cassell
For prayer requests and more, visit our sister site Stella Maris,
- a place where truth and beauty dwells: or write for information.
- a place where truth and beauty dwells: or write for information.
To submit comments, requests or materials,
contact me at: outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
contact me at: outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
I gladly welcome all article, haiku, humour and poem contributions
For empowerment workshops and seminars see: http://www.dawncoveabbey.org/healing-circle
For empowerment workshops and seminars see: http://www.dawncoveabbey.org/healing-circle
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