CHILD ON A SWING

 

What is it that makes us smile when we see a child on a swing

as they sway to and fro…laughing so innocently?

Perhaps for a moment we are reminded of the child we use to be.

Who would swing as high as our legs would take us…

how with each swing we’d try to make the swing set strain…

How we loved playing in the mud…and riding our bicycles in the rain. 

How without aid of on instrument…

we could be a one-man or one-woman band.

How we believed in Santa Claus…and made castles in the sand.

We remember that childhood is where we learned to love…

and are captivated by that thought…

for everything we know about love…is what we have been taught.

It is the same with honesty and kindness…

with forgiveness and generosity 

The same with showing tenderness and compassion 

for everyone and everything we see.

And we are humbled…watching a child on a swing

for we know if they are to grow up in the kind and loving world we’d like to see 

The lessons of love they are to learn…are our responsibility.

An awesome responsibility…

(Parents…you may now discuss)

for what our children learn of love…is what they learn from us.

And as the child swings back and forth…

here’s something else to contemplate…

By watching us our children can learn to love…

But:

They can also learn to hate.

And how do we know if love was taught to them…

If kindness in the world they bring?

Look to see if they still laugh as innocently when they grow up

as they did when they were young…

when they sit upon a swing.