what I wish for my kids......

I've tried so hard to make things better for my kids that I've made them worse....
For my grandchildren,I'd like better.I'd really like for them to know about hand-me-down clothes and home-made ice cream and left-over meatloaf sandwiches...I really would.
I hope they learn humility by being humiliated,and that they learn honesty by being cheated.I hope they learn to make their own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car.And I really hope nobody gives them a brand new car when they turn sixteen.
Also to my grandchildren:
It will be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your old dog put to sleep.I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.I hope one of you has to share your bedroom with a younger brother or sister.And its all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room,but when he/she wants to crawl under the covers with you because they are scared,I hope you will let them. When you want to see a movie and your little brother wants to tag along,I hope you'll let him.I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town where you can do it safely.
One rainy days when you have to catch a ride,I hope you don't ask your driver to drop you off 2 blocks away so you won't be seen riding with someone as uncool as your Mom. If you want a slingshot,I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books. When you learn to use computers,I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush.And when you talk back to your Mother,I hope you learn what Ivory soap tastes like. May you skin your knee climbing a mountain,burn your hand on a stove,and stick your tongue to a frozen flagpole.I don't care if you try a beer once,but I hope you don't like it.And if a friend offers you dope or a joint,I hope you realize that hes not your friend.
I sure hope that you make time to sit on the porch with your Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle. May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holidays.I hope your Mother punishes you when you throw a baseball through your neighbor's window and that she hugs and kisses you at Christmas time when you give her a plaster mold of your hand.
These things I wish for you---tough times and disappointment,hard work and happiness. To me,its the only way to appreciate life.
Love,
Mom and/or Grandma