On Children
Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
My eldest, Put Pie, had her preschool “Moving Up” ceremony. She starts kindergarten on Monday. I wonder how I’ll ever be able to survive parenthood when everything feels so unbelievably precious.
And now your Friday Fortune Cookie
(don’t forget to add “in bed” at the end, if you are so inclined):
Just do the best you can.
Hosted by Mrs. 4444
The photos are breathtaking, capturing your emotion well. There’s a verse in the Bible that says Love covers . . .. Love covers so much, so well. You will be fine, my friend.
The process of letting go never gets easier but each step is amazing. I love the words that you shared.
Great poem and photos. Your journey has just begun, with all it’s highs and lows. Buckle up it will be a fantastic ride. 😀
Every moment IS unbelievably precious.
Oh what I would give for PutPie’s curls– Gorgeous.
And a big congrats on her kindergarten jump. That’s big! But times flies when they are young. I wish we could slow the clock down a bit to enjoy them more!
xo jj
So sweet. Her hair is just gorgeous.
Send me your new address again. I can’t find it. I’m a mess.
http://www.backinthebush.wordpress.com
I just saw mine off to school…his 3rd year in college!! I remember kindergarten so well though. It really doesn’t get easier. 🙁
Put pie’s hair is SO gorgeous. Congrats to her on heading onward to the next chapter with a smile.
What a beautiful ‘moving up’ flower and ceremony and pictures!! You are definitely gifted with words, Claudya. Seriously!!
Her hair is amazing! She must be a beauty!
I just do the best I can……and sometimes, oh, we’ll!
I am a big fan of Kahlil Gibran and that poem is glorious. I’ll be thinking of you on Monday. Little Diva loved Kindergarten and I’m sure Put Pie will, too.
🙂
Traci
thanks for the poem. I’ve read a little of his writing but don’t recall this one. It was a joy to read and think about. Not only precious but so tricky too.
It was read at Put Pie’s Moving Up ceremony and I was so touched by it, I immediately had to share it. When I was writing the post my husband said, “That just happened and you’re already writing about it?!” You’d think he’d know me by now. Sheesh!
Love this. Mr.4444 and I used K.G.’s writings at our wedding; his work is amazing, and I love your photos, too.