Take care of my little girl, please
Dear World,
I have a little favor to ask.
The last of my four children starts kindergarten today. I am sure she will do fine, I am not so sure about me. She has watched her brothers head off to school each fall, anticipating the day when she too would have her picture taken in front of that city-planted tree in our front yard, her face freshly scrubbed, new backpack and pencils in tow.
Treat her gently, World; she trusts people easily and so far, at least, is incapable of pretense. My little girl simply says what’s in her heart, without malice. So, would you join my wife and I in helping her stay trusting and unguarded for as long as possible? Would you help us gently teach her humility without crushing her spirit? When we’re not there, would you protect her from bullies who block her way? We seasoned ones know that “keeping the faith” isn’t just a ’60s slogan, and we long for her to be a keeper of that faith.
So, World, could you postpone her desire for designer jeans, midriff tops and lip gloss … indefinitely? Don’t let her grow up so fast that she no longer finds solace in Daddy’s arms, reading a well-worn, often-read storybook. Help her, World, to be wary without being rude and discerning without being aloof. Help us as parents to remember that character education is our job, and that it’s caught, not taught.
Help her develop a love of learning, and join us in teaching her that even on the worst days, life is always worth living. When she struggles, help her to understand this too shall pass. Help her embrace graciousness and fair play. Even though she’s young, instill in her a reverence for personal integrity, and help her guard her reputation.
Can we work together, World, to assure my daughter that people are more important than things? (And while we’re at it, could we both instill in her a strong aversion to tattoos and body piercing?)
Maybe I’m asking too much, but could we work together to teach my little girl to value her self, putting a high price tag on her affections? I wouldn’t mind a bit if you made me the most important man in her life for a long, long time. And, World, as far as that dating thing goes, don’t worry about it. I figure with three older brothers and a dad we got that issue covered.
Well, World, I think that that about covers it for now.
I’m not asking for miracles. Just keep her safe, sensitive, discerning, gracious, considerate, chaste and 6 years old.
Thanks,
A Dad
Editor’s note:
This first letter was written by Michael Johnson on the day his daughter began kindergarten in 2003. He wrote to ask “the World” to help take care of her. In 2016, the year she is graduating from high school, he writes back. Bailey Johnson graduates Wednesday from Enochs High School.
This story was originally published May 24, 2016 at 2:35 PM with the headline "Take care of my little girl, please."