When I was a teenager and found out I was about to have a child, I wanted more than anything to do it right… to make sure my child felt loved….I remember a popular writing from the time that had a major impact on me the day I read it. It was very simple, no artistic embellishment, only the words in calligraphy on parchment paper. I hung it over Steve’s crib as a reminder that every action, positive and negative, affects the little child whose life we are entrusted with….
CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE
If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn…
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight…
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive…
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself…
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy…
If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel guilt…
But…
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient…
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident…
If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative…
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love…
If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is…
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice…
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those about him…
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live.
By Dorothy Louise Nolte
He’s all grown up now and I think we did a great job ! He’s smarter than I ever dreamt of being , a good man, a loving father, a great friend, has a kind heart that’s about as big as the Atlantic ocean and not a single mean bone in his body…Happy Birthday my son…

































