Do not ask your children
to strive for extraordinary lives.
Such striving may seem admirable,
but it is a way of foolishness.
Help them instead to find the wonder
and the marvel of an ordinary life.
Show them the joy of tasting
tomatoes, apples and pears.
Show them how to cry
when pets and people die.
Show them the infinite pleasure
in the touch of a hand.
And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.
1 comment:
wow. way to leave me in tears. i didn't expect that! when our 4 children were small (maybe even when i just had one or two) i found a quote that i felt described me "i spend my days stringing and unstringing my instrument while the song i came to play remains unsung." it was only after i nearly lost ned in the drowning that i learned i had been and was privileged to share so many priceless moments with my children and husband--if only i could see those moments with grateful eyes. suddenly just sitting together at church or having a child come through a door meant the world to me. i'm very grateful for that wakeup call. i only wish i had understood what you know, joe and julia, from the first day of my marriage. i love you and appreciate what you do for me and our family so very much.
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