I like a lot of poetry. And clever maxims. And inspiring scripture. In the Lean Years (read: the first ten or twelve years of being a wife and mother) if it wasn't for pinning up inspiration in the form of inspirational and funny and deep and meaningful words, I mightn't have made it.

 Okay, it wasn't that hard, in fact it was as much fun as possible on very little sleep.  But.  Words, meaningful words posted all over my favourite places to hang out were a way of keeping me on the straight and narrow.  Of not taking myself too seriously.  Of remembering why I am doing all of this anyway.  Of that my husband and children are my gifts and blessings. Not the enemy.

Some of my favourite places have changed over the years, and some have not.  The sink. The change table.  Spent a lot of time there.  The laundry folding table.  The bathroom mirror. nMy desk.  The fridge.  Somebody should actually invent kitchen wallpaper that is all inspirational quotes.  Oh, right.  After a few kids you might not be able to read it.

That reminds me. If anyone has invented a drywall that doesn't chip at the corners when hacked with wooden or plastic sword, please let me know.  Been looking for that for some time now. 

Occasionally, I like to share a poem that fell into the category of what got me through the day.

This poem, by Rudyard Kipling summarizes my approach and philosophy about the education of my children pretty succinctly.

I KEEP six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.
I send them over land and sea,
I send them east and west;
But after they have worked for me,
I give them all a rest.

I let them rest from nine till five,
 For I am busy then,
As well as breakfast, lunch, and tea,
 For they are hungry men.
But different folk have different views; 
I know a person small
She keeps ten million serving-men,
Who get no rest at all!

She sends'em abroad on her own affairs,
 From the second she opens her eyes
One million Hows, two million Wheres,
And seven million Whys!

I am not going to pretend that I know the mind of Mr. Kipling, but I think poetry is about what the reader gleans from it.  Perhaps it won't be the same for everyone.  But for me, clearly the first four lines are intended for us to understand the asking questions is the basis for any excellent education.  In any field or any subject.  He goes on to say that he gives his men plenty of time off (as grown ups often develop the nasty habit of not questioning and perhaps not even thinking much in some cases).

But it is the little child, relentless in her questions and ponderings who at the crack of dawn wants to Know.  And this is the thing we want our children to have.  
The desire to Know.  
To Understand.  To Think. 
To Question.