What to Buy the Baby?

My daughter is now 7 months old (nearly 8), and we were blessed with lots of baby toys, clothes and gifts when she was born. We have very close friends who just welcomed their first child into the world, a baby boy, and they, too, got lots of gifts off their registry. 

The question is, as these two kiddos grow, what do you get them as gifts? They're not kids yet that can tell you what they want to play with. Our little girl has tons of toys already anyway, but as Valentine's Day, Easter, and (before I know it) her birthday come along, family and friends are sure to ask what to get her. Along those lines I will likely ask the same question for our friend's new baby. 

In my mind there are only two good options—clothes or books. Clothes they will grow out of and will need more, and a good book you can't outgrow.

We Belong to Each Other...

Every day my principal writes an inspirational quote on the mirror of our faculty bathrooms. They are always uplifting and sometimes, ironically, just what you need to hear that day. 

This week one of the quotes was from Mother Teresa, and said: 

"If we have no peace; it is because we have forgotten that we belong to one another." 

It struck me as such a simple concept and truth. It's something I know and believe. I treat people with respect, whether they hold different beliefs than me, or come from a different heritage, they are still a person. The fact that hate is still present in our world is because people forget that we are all human...the same...that our colors, heritage and location make us different, but not better or inferior. 

It is very true that babies do not know hate; they only know and learn what they are taught and experience. If we give them love and teach them peace, then we will leave the world better than we find it, which is what I will try with all my might to pass on to my daughter. 

Our younger generations are the true hope for change. If they are able to hold onto the idea that Mother Teresa so simply put, then maybe peace can become a more widespread reality.