A strong foundation...
the most important part in a building, so much more so than the outward appearance, for without it cracks or even collapse may occur. And because of this we have architects who specialize not only in design, but in structural soundness which allow the buildings to stand the test of time.
As I pondered the topic for today’s post, a photo of our youngest grandson playing with his Christmas gift of Legos kept coming to mind. The blocks interlock for strength, and allow a single tower to be built up to a certain height before it begins to topple from the weight of the blocks themselves. And when it topples, we show the children to build a larger base, a foundation, to support that tower.
The responsibility of building a foundation in children’s lives lies on the shoulders of the adults in theirs. And while children certainly don’t come with an instruction manual, it doesn’t forgive us as adults from either instinctively knowing what to do, or researching the right course of action. Just as Hillary said years ago, it takes a village – but who is your village? If you don’t have one built in, go create your community, your village – for it will benefit both you and your child. And make it your priority to teach and be an example to your children of demonstrating love, respect, open communication, curiosity, strength and perseverance,
Dropping off some of myDarlin’s clothing at a local thrift shoppe, I wandered inside to take a look at the various items. And there on the shelf toward the back were vintage building blocks, edges worn smooth from many generations of play. And I thought about the small hands that carefully stacked these blocks over the years, experimenting with building a single tower and can almost hear a kind adult voice explaining the importance of building a foundation. Yes, I would like to purchase these blocks I say to my friend, the clerk, and we place them in a box that will soon be on the front seat of the truck making their way to a new home in Margaritaville. And there on the deck where the breeze pretends to be that of the ocean, children will play with these blocks and adults will teach the importance of building a foundation.
Today I am filled with gratitude for myDarlin Robert Kenui Pope and me having had the privilege of helping to build a foundation for our children and many others, and I hope to continue to do so for the remainder of my days. I am so proud of all of our children as I watch them carry on the legacy. And I pray for all children everywhere to have a good example to follow as they grow and for the adults in their life to recognize and fulfill their responsibility as we are all members of the village.
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