teach him gently world

Many years ago, the words of Abraham Lincoln were more than perfect for a mom sending her firstborn off to 'big boy' school for the first time. Fast forward and they are just as appropriate today as that firstborn headed off to college:

"World, take my son by the hand - he starts to school today.

It's all going to be strange and new to him for a while and I wish you would sort of treat him gently. You, see, up to now, he's been king of the roost. He's been the boss of the backyard. I have always been around to repair his wounds and I've always been handy to soothe his feelings.

But now...things are going to be different. This morning he's going to walk down the front steps, wave his hand and start on a great adventure that probably will include wars and tragedy and sorrow.

To live in this world will require faith and love and courage. So, World, I wish you would sort of take him by the hand and teach him the things he will have to know.

Teach him, but gently if you can.

He will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just - that all men are not true. Teach him for that every scoundrel , there is a hero; that for every crooked politician there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.

Let him learn early that bullies are the easiest to lick...

Teach him that it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat. Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone else tells him they are wrong.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone else is getting on the bandwagon. Teach him to listen to all men, but to filter all he hears on a screen of truth and to take only the good that comes through.

Teach him to sell his brawn and brains to the highest bidder but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul. Teach him to close his ears on a howling mob - and to stand up and fight if he thinks he's right.

Teach him gently, World, but don't soothe him, because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

This is a big order, World, but see what you can do. He's such a nice little fellow...