My little Angel starts school today. It's all going to be sort of strange and new to her for a while, and I wish you would sort of treat her gently.

You see, up until now, she's been Queen of the roost .... She's been the boss of the backyard ... Her mother has always been near to soothe her wounds and repair her feelings.

But now things are going to be different.

This morning, she is going to walk down the front steps, wave her hand and start out on the great adventure.... It is an adventure that might take her across continents, across oceans .... It is an adventure that will probably include wars and tragedy and sorrow ... To live her life in the world she will have to live in, will require FAITH, and LOVE, and COURAGE.

So, World, I wish you would sort of look after my Little Angel.... Take her by the hand and teach her the things she will have to know.

But do it gently, if you can.

She will have to learn, I know, that all men are not just, that all men are not true.

But teach her also that for every scoundrel, there is a hero... that for every crooked politician there is a great and dedicated leader.... Teach her that for every enemy, there is a friend.

Steer her away from envy, if you can... and teach her the secret of quiet laughter.

In school, World, teach her it is far more honorable to fail than to cheat. Teach her to have FAITH in her own ideas, even if everyone says they are wrong ... Teach her to be gentle with gentle people and tough with tough people.

Try to give my Little Angel the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the bandwagon ... Teach her to listen to all men - but teach her also to filter all she hears on a screen of truth and take just the good that siphons through.

Teach her there can be glory in failure and despair in success.

Treat her gently, World, if you can. But don't coddle her, because only the test of fire makes fine steel... Let her have the courage to be impatient.... Let her have the patience to be brave.

Let her be no person's woman.... Teach her always to have sublime faith in herself. Because then she will always have sublime faith in mankind.

This is quite an order, World, but see what you can do...

She's such a nice Little Angel, my granddaughter Brittany.

Original Source Unknown.

Adapted for my own "Little Angel" Heather many years ago and now passed along to my granddaughter.