An Unconventional Valentine's Day Poem

Here's a beautiful poem that I was recently reminded of while watching Oprah.  I love my children with all my heart, but not because they are a part of me as an arm or leg, but because because I love THEM.  :)  And I love my husband too, but that's another poem.

Your Children are not Your Children
Khalil Giran

They are the sons and daughters of life's longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

Most folks know better than to view their children as possessions, yet still believe their children are a literal part of them.  How do you encourage your children to be themselves, and to develop their own personal strengths and weaknesses?

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