A Bucket Of Esteem Poem by Jim Yerman

She grew up a happy child…in a happy home…
her own wonderland.
She loved nothing more than to walk the beach and play with her bucket in the sand.

Her parents allowed her to be happy, to play, to think…to dream
and turned her bucket in the sand…
into a bucket of esteem.

They began too fill her bucket with things they thought worthwhile.
In it they would drop a touch…a hug…a kiss…a smile…

Every moment spent together…doing nothing…having fun
watching clouds, counting stars…playing in the sun.

And everything they ever said to her…meant to make her smile
meant to make her dream…
seemed to find a home…in her bucket of esteem.

Wow! I'm proud of you! Great job! …You're reaching for the sky!
I knew you could do it! I trust you! Congratulations! …Nice try!

As her bucket began to fill up…and then to overflow
the smile never left her face and her esteem began to grow.

Today her parents look at her and smile…
and if you happen to ask them why…
they'll say: We're confident whatever happens…
Her bucket will never run dry.

And so I wonder:

As we think about how to raise our children…
how to help them to be happy…
how to help them dream…
Perhaps the best gift we could give them…
is a bucket of esteem.