A friend of mine emailed me this morning and wished me luck sending my baby off to Kindergarten...thought I would share it with all of you that are sending your babies off this year!
Dear World,
(Here's a great "back to school message" written by Abe Lincoln for his son before his first day of school)
"World take my son by the hand-he starts school today. It's all 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 the boss of the backyard. I have always been around to repair his wounds and I've always been handy to sooth his felings. 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 a great adventure that probaly will include wars and tragedy and sorrow.
To live in this world 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.
He will have to learn, I know that all men are not just- that all men are not true. Teach him that for every scoundrel there is a hero; for every enemy there is a friend. Let him learn early tht the bullies are the easiest people to lick.
Teach him the wonder of books. Give quiet time to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill.
Teach him that it is far more honorable to fail that to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.
Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon. Teach him to listen to all men, but to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and to take only the good that comes through.
Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidders, but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.
Teach him to close his earts on 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."
Thanks to Rev. George Mathison, Auburn United Methodist Church
2 comments:
I've heard about this but never read it in detail. I'm glad I read it today and not Monday. ;) My goodness I'm getting so emotional.
Thanks for sharing.
I just cried of course. Been crying for two days, woke up at 4 am balling! The Mister says I am a basket case :). After Wiley was asleep tonight, I went and laid my hands on him and prayed, prayed for lots of these same things! Thank you for sharing and hope baby boy will have a great 1st day. Love you friend!!
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