The Family
The family is like a book—
The children are the leaves,
The parents are the covers
That protecting beauty gives.
At first the pages of the book
Are blank and purely fair,
But time soon writes memories
And paints pictures there.
Love is the little golden clasp
That bindeth up the trust;
O, break it not, lest all the leaves
Should scatter and be lost.—Spoken by Samuel G. Dye, at the funeral of Ann Lane Larkin, September 9, 1924
I don’t expect anyone to fully appreciate that a mother makes more decisions in one morning than the Supreme Court makes in three years. —Erma Bombeck
Grandchild’s View
My grandson was visiting one day when he asked,
“Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?”
I mentally polished my halo, and asked, “No, how are we alike?”
“You’re both old,” he replied.—Author Unknown
“A merry heart does good” Proverbs 17:22
Being a Kid is Tough
“One of the great puzzles in my life is when Daddy spanks me for smoking a cigarette butt he threw away. And Mommy sometimes washes my mouth out with soap for saying a word that I learned from her. Ever since I can remember, my parents have taught me not to tell lies, but the other day Mommy sent me to the door to tell a salesman that she was gone. Maybe when we get big and our folks get little, we can enjoy the privilege of telling whoppers. You know, being a parent must be fun . . . but being a kid is tough, with so many restrictions.”
Remember that every word spoken before our children and every action observed contribute to the formation of their character. —Author Unknown
Surprise Your Parents
There’s always something you wish your children would do, such as not tossing clothes inside out into the hamper. Here’s my wish list of phrases I’d like to hear my children say. Not all the time—just once would be nice.
- “You’re so cool, Dad.”
- “Who cares if the TV is broken?”
- “Pass the broccoli, please.”
- “What! No kiss?”
- “No, thanks. It’s too expensive.”
- “It’s a hard choice. Everything sounds great.”
- “Bored? How could I be bored?”
- “I’ve already made my bed.”
- “It was my fault.”
- “That’s okay. None of my friends are allowed to do it either.” —Larry Rout
“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Proverbs 1:8
