Start

Start with yourself and learn how to live.

Then to your child, 

     teach her to forgive.

Teach her your kindness, 

     compassion and love.

Teach her that she can always rise above.

Show your little boy that it's okay to lose.

Losing can mean winning 

    if that's what we choose.

Every time we lose we learn just a bit.

Next time around it will 

   be a better fit.

That brings us to the next 

     lesson to teach.

If you don't keep trying

     your dream's hard to reach.

Teach him not to give up and to try.

This way he won't have to 

     mourn life gone by.

Let them know not to 

     raise up their hand

            to strike out, causing 

     pain when it lands.

If you show mercy 

     to the child you raise.

She will show mercy 

     for all of her days.