Teach Your Children Well

 Today is a genuine sick-day. Yesterday and the day before Ru was sick and now both boys qualify...and just minutes ago, before he headed out for a walk A told me, "I don't feel so well." *groan*

So, I'm doing lots of hugging, and changing clothes, and back rubbing and brow mopping and Saltine cracker serving and not a lot of very active anything. Leaves time for stiller projects: thinking, reading, research (houses, houses, houses...oh and California!) and laundry folding and sorting.

Seems like Ru ought to be out of the woods sometime soon and that will feel hopeful. I still feel okay and I'm hoping and praying and stubbornly believing that I'll be okay. Here's to optimism.

All that to say that one of the things I've been mulling over for a while is this list which, I thought I'd share with you since my sick bed nurse duty has given me the time to think of the last few additions. With my poor, sick boys in mind, and my thankfully, buffered and protected from illness tiny baby....I present to you:

Things I Want My Children To Learn

1. To walk with God

2. To follow their artistic urges

3. Self esteem

4. Deep compassion

5. Environmental responsibility

6. A can-do attitude

7. How to entertain themselves

8. Respect and love for elderly people

9. To be helpful

10. A love for beauty

11. A spirit of cultural adventurousness

12. Good old fashioned etiquette

13. Optimism

14. Everyday biology

15. Chutzpa

16. The value of friendship

17. Respect for and love of animals

18. Appreciation for hard work

19. Physical activity

20. How to read music and sing a part.

21. Love for books and stories

22. To value their family history

23. How to fish

24. How to keep their own houses

25. Generosity

26. Humor

27. Integrity

28. To be articulate

29. To mix with all types of people

30. Curiosity preservation

31. How to let go

32. To be a good judge of character

33. How to receive graciously

34. How to laugh at themselves

35. Patient stillness

What's on your list? Anything weird on mine?