In the Faces of Our Children

In the Faces of Our Children                                       

This morning I remember to hold Nigel

-a few minutes for our bodies to remember that we are on the same team

Before we begin working out what he will wear

What he will eat for breakfast.

As I hold his never quite still self, gratefulness seeps in.

This morning he remembers to go to the bathroom before he eats

-instead of wiggling in his chair painfully for 10 minutes.

He listens to his body!

We have 10 minutes before the bus comes.

His face lights up when I bring out the sight word cards.

His delight in learning!

In putting the little pieces of the world together in a great connected jigsaw puzzle!

As he sounds out “who” and “eat”, “woo” and “et”, his face twitching in concentration,

I sense the strength of this child. 

He will do great things with his mind.

Maggie asks me again if she can wear her snowboots to school

Even though it is 45 degrees outside.

She is relentless to express her ideas

Without consideration of practical details.

She wants to do many things at the same time

Wants to read and eat breakfast together

While I comb her hair.

She hums and wiggles constantly at mealtime

Makes faces in the stainless steel rice pot

All supper long.

Yesterday morning she was creating stories.

Before I knew it, the boys were following her around the yard

Carrying Legos, piling up grass for her plastic horse

Following her relentless creative spirit.

She will be active, she will inspire others

She will bring movement and magic to the blank, dark spaces

A creator.