Something, no, everything about the song You Raise Me Up makes me so emotional. It makes me want to cry.

I think of my family, more so, my parents.

And I think of all the people around my life who RAISE(D) ME UP.

I think too of my two girls, Bunny and Kajune. Will they sail through the turbulences of this life and emerge tops as I dream of them? What legacy will I leave to them? Will they be kind? Will they always strive to be happy and remember to pray? Will they learn to forgive themselves and stand for what they believe? Will they hold up their chins and not be afraid to fail?

In an inspired moment, Abraham Lincoln must have written this famous letter to his son’s teacher. You have probably read it again but read it once more and marvel at how well it captures the often unspoken wishes of a parent on their child…

Abraham Lincoln’s Letter to his Son’s Teacher

He will have to learn, I know,

that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,

Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.

Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.

In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.

Teach him if you can,

how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears

to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he’s right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!

~ Abraham Lincoln

I think this letter should be printed out and pinned in every school’s staffroom notice board.

Simply brilliant.

When I look into the faces of my daughters and listen to the things they say, I realize that as a parent I have a huge responsibility of shaping their young thoughts and helping nurture good habits and even better attitudes as they grow.

I just  wonder if one day, when they hearYou Raise Me Up they will say their parents raised them to stand on mountains and sail through the stormy seas of this life. I hope they will. And that when they get to ? You raise me up… To more than I can be ?, they will sing along, with conviction because they understand that there is no ceiling; that they can do or be anything they want to be.