Both

Let me dream and hope and wonder like a child. Let me dream endlessly, boundlessly, as if I always command the wind and the stars are at my side. Make my hope fresh and unquestioning; and let me wonder wild and without ceasing, as if I have wings to carry me to the deepest parts of the universe, wherever I wish to be. Let me believe in all things good like a child, that my belief be pure, unstained, uncomplicated.

But, let me act like an adult. Make me work and shape my dreams like real grown-ups do. Let me always think that I am responsible, and that whatever my decisions on things may be, let me have self-trust, like what mature men have, to face what must be faced. Let me not run away when the wind howls, for this is not what adults do. Light my way as I face my fears. Let me have courage, but allow me to fear, that I would take heart more. For courage is not the absence of fear, but the wisdom to do things when in fear. Let me defend my hopes like an adult, reasonable, sensible, open-minded. And let me handle my wonders like grown-ups do—the real ones—dignified, enthusiastic but not loud, determined but not dirty. Let me hold my belief of the truths in and of the world like a seasoned man, thankful for the gray clouds that add to the beauty of the dusk and to the spreading darkness, instead of cursing them, like what they who pretend to be grown-ups do.

Let me celebrate beauty and goodness in all their forms like a child, but also, let me build and lead my life like an adult.

Let me possess a grown-up mind, and a heart forever young, too.

Change’s Child

Miss those early morning lines we make for the flag raising (find your height!). Miss those childish teasings. The backpack. Once we thought pimples were the world’s worst problem (even boys did); and those love letters given or received, along with the promises in them, would make life rosy, forever. Oh high school.

And then we started growing up, and see ourselves in a new light. To stay alive, we discovered we have to be tough. But let’s not lose the child within. For life may not always be rosy, but when it’ll be, it’s still best to experience awe like that of a child.

And so we remember those times…

…and bring them along, as we shape our lives.