“Build me a son, O Lord, who will be
strong enough to know when he is weak, brave enough to face himself when
he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and
humble and gentle in victory.
“Build me a son whose wishes will not
take the place of deeds; a son who will know Thee — and that to know
himself is the foundation stone of knowledge.
“Lead him, I pray, not in the path of
ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and
challenge. Here let him learn to stand up in the storm; here let him
learn compassion for those who fail …”
“Build me a son whose heart will be
clear, whose goal will be high; a son who will master himself before he
seeks to master other men; one who will reach into the future, yet never
forget the past.
“And after all these things are his,
add, I pray, enough of sense of humor, so that he may always be serious,
yet never take himself too seriously.
“Give him humility, so that he may
always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true
wisdom, and the meekness of true strength.
“Then, I, his father, will dare to whisper, ‘I have not lived in vain.'”
