The Child is a Promise

Being in lockdown, I’ve found myself feeling lucky that I can spend this time around my family. That I can get to know each of my children a little bit more. I also find it incredibly difficult to explain how much of my heart is owned by these little ones. Is it just that I claim them as my children that makes me so beholden to them, or is it something deeper?

The answer to that question has escaped me for as long as I’ve been a father. That is, until today when I heard this quote from Maria Montessori.

The Child is both a hope and a promise for mankind

I leave all of my hopes and dreams to my children when I am gone. I pass on the promise of my forbearer’s. Below, I’ve written them out, and encourage you to do so as well, so that they know.

• I hope that you will live a long and happy life filled with the awesomeness of this great creation

• I hope that you will fall in love with life, and with nature and continue to protect and conserve it.

• I dream that you will tell my stories (big fish and small) and create your own along the way

• I hope that you will spread kindness and love

• I promise that I will do everything in my power to help you start your journey on solid ground

• I promise that I will teach you what I know, to help you thrive

• I promise that I will give it all to protect you and our great land

• I promise that I will ALWAYS love you

There’s fish to be caught, let’s go find ‘em! and don’t forget to bring the kids.

B. Carpenter