Every Child

by ComputerBob

May 5, 1998

Every child deserves someone...

...who looks forward to their birth with joy.
...who is glad that they were born.
...who considers them to be a gift from God.
...whose highest priority is to care for them.
...who loves them more than every other child in the world.
...who loves to teach them.
...who loves to read to them.
...who loves to play with them.
...who loves to take them places.
...who tells them they are smart.
...who tells them they are loved.
...who shows them they are loved.
...who isn't embarrassed to hold them and hug and kiss them.
...who tells them they can be anything they want to be when they grow up.
...who tucks them in to bed every night.
...who doesn't mind that they want a night light in their room.
...who provides a safe place for them to live.
...who feels joy just by watching them sleep.
...who understands that four year-olds sometimes spill their milk.
...who understands that five year-olds are sometimes scared of lightning and thunder.
...who lets them help.
...who understands that having a pet will help them learn nurturing skills.
...who talks to them, even when they aren't old enough to talk back.
...who smiles at them.
...who can teach them how to ride a bicycle.
...who sings with them.
...who can teach them right from wrong.
...who can teach them to stand up for what they believe.
...who can teach them that bad things sometimes happen to good people.
...who can teach them that they can choose how they react to whatever happens to them.
...who can teach them that everyone makes mistakes.
...who can teach them how to forgive.
...who can teach them to be responsible with money.
...who encourages them to do well in school.
...who helps them with their homework.
...who will give honest answers to their honest questions.
...who isn't afraid to say, "I don't know. Let's find out!"
...who can instill in them a love of learning.
...who encourages them to have hobbies.
...who remembers what it's like to be a child.
...who is willing to listen to and understand their feelings.
...who they can trust with their fears, hopes and joys.
...who they can look up to.
...who they feel safe with.
...who always keeps their promises.
...who shows them, by example, the importance of helping people less fortunate than themselves.
...who shows them, by example, how to be a good husband or wife.
...who shows them, by example, how to be a good father or mother.
...who praises them for all the good that they do.
...who prays with them.
...who prays for them.
...who is really, really proud of them.
...who always loves them, no matter what.