I was helping a friend prepare some images for creating a memory book last week and had been showing some of mine as examples when we came across a page I had created of my daughter and grandaughter. I hadn’t put any journaling on the page as the poem captured everything I wanted to say. Several friends have asked for the poem so I’ve copied it here along with a slideshow of some of the images I used in my layout.
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I’d build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I’d finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I’d take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites.
I’d stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I’d do more hugging and less tugging.
~Diane Loomans, from “If I Had My Child To Raise Over Again”
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