WHAT SHALL WE GIVE THE CHILDREN

​What Shall We Give the Children?
 
What shall we give the children?
The holidays are here.
Toys, and games, and playthings
As we do every year?
Yes, for the magic of toyland
Is part of the holiday lore
To gladden the hearts of childhood
But I shall give something more.
I shall give them more patience,
A more sympathetic ear,
A little more time for laughter,
Or tenderly dry a tear.
 
I shall take time to teach them
The joy of doing some task.
And try to find time to answer
All the questions they seem to ask.
We'll read some books together
And take long walks in the sun;
Take time for a bedtime story
After the day is done.
I shall give these things to my children,
Which will weave a closer tie,
Knitting our lives together
With the gifts that money can't buy.