Carlie Brucia. A name nobody knew a week ago. This little entry is for her. It comes from a postcard on my friend Sandi's fridge. I copied it down, stuck it on the fridge when my kids were little and then put it in a folder. I just found it.

How to Really Love a Child

Be there. Say yes as often as possible. Let them bang on pots and pans. If they're crabby, put them in water. If they're unlovable, lover yourself. Realize how important it is to be a child. Go to the movie theater in your pajamas. Read books out loud with joy. Invent pleasures together. Remember how really small they are. Giggle a lot. Surprise them. Say no when necessary. Teach feelings. Celebrate your own inner child. Learn about parenting. Hug trees together. Bake a cake and eat it with no hands. Find win/win solutions. Go find kittens and cuddle them. Plan together to build a rocket ship. Imagine yourselves under the sea. Make lots of forts with blankets. Reveal your own dreams. Search out the positive. Keep the gleam in your eye. Mail letters to God. Express your love a lot. Enjoy being silly. Plant licorice in your garden. Open up. Play outside in the fresh air every day. Be honest. Stop yelling. Speak kindly. Painth their tennis shoes. Sail toy boats on a pond. Run with the wind. Honor their curiousity. Be gentle. Handle with caring.