My son starts school today

My son starts school today, It is all going to be strange and new to him for a while and I wish you would treat him gently.

It is an adventure that might take him across continents.

All adventures that probably include wars, tragedy and sorrow.

To live this life will require faith, love and courage.

So dear Teacher, will you please take him by his hand and teach him things he will have to know, teaching him – but gently, if you can.

Teach him that for every enemy, there is a friend.

He will have to know that all men are not just, that all men are not true.

But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero, that for every crooked politician, there is a dedicated leader.

Teach him if you can that 10 cents earned is of far more value than a dollar found in school, teacher, it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to learn how to gracefully lose, and enjoy winning when he does win.

Teach him to be gentle with people, tough with tough people.