This is the poem we used for DD's naming day:
THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL
We give you the greatest gift of all,
a headstart that will last throughout your life
We shall do our best to teach you,
but it will be up to you to learn
We shall try to guide you in the right directions,
but it will be up to you to make the right decisions
We shall also encourage you to seek your own independence
but it will be up to you to be responsible
We shall tell you about 'drink and drugs',
but it will be up to you to say 'no'
We shall teach you about respect,
but you will choose whether to appreciate it's value
We shall encourage you to try,
but you should want to succeed for yourself
We shall teach you kindness,
but it will be up to you to be good-natured
We shall teach you to share,
but it will be up to you to be unselfish
We shall model values for you.
but you have to develop your own morals
We give you this knowledge as a gift
with all our love.
These are other ones i was thinking about using too.
It's 3 am they're all asleep,
And no one's here to see
as we rock slowly back and forth
My Baby Girl and me
Her little head is feather light
tucked up against my chin
I hold her tiny hand in mine
and stroke her baby skin
The house about us creaks and groans
the clock hands creep around
She snuggles closer to me still
and makes her baby sounds
I love these quiet hours so much
and cherish every one
store memories up inside my heart
for lonely nights to come
All too soon she'll be grown up
her need for Mummy gone
but until then I still have time
for kisses and for song
Time for quiet hours like this
with her cuddled in my arms
where I wish she'd always stay
protected, safe and warm
And yet I know the day will come
when this tiny little hand
will be much bigger than my own
she'll grow to be a woman
But until then she's mine to love
with no one here to see
as we rock slowly back and forth
my Baby Girl and me.
***
A CHILD LEARNS WHAT HE LIVES
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If he lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If he lives with shame, he learns to feel guilt.
BUT
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If he lives with encouragement, he learns confidence.
With fairness, he learns justice.
If he lives with security, he learns faith.
With approval, he learns to like himself.
And if a child lives with acceptance and friendship,
he learns to find love in this world.
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