Many, many years ago, I think I was in jr. high actually, I had to memorize a poem - "If" by Rudyard Kipling. I loved it from the moment I first read it. So I painstakingly worked and worked at memorizing this very long poem. I have vivid memories of repeating it over and over to my mom trying to get it all in the right order. And though I can't remember it all word for word now, the message has stuck with me.
Fast forward 20 years and when in 8th grade Cheyenne needed a good poem to memorize, I suggested "If" to her, too. She did the same thing, worked and worked at memorizing it and now she loves it, too. So a couple weeks ago when Natalie needed to memorize a poem (love that 8th grade English,) Cheyenne and I both suggested "If", and she memorized it, too. I decided I needed this posted somewhere since it's such a good reminder of how I want to live and how I want my children to live. So I made a printable and I'll share it with you, too.
A couple days after I made this and Natalie presented it to her class, she then tells me she had to take something for a prop/display. I told her I had made this and if she'd just told me, she could have taken it. Instead she took a few different varieties of the Met Life stuffed Snoopy's (taking the "If" out of life.) lol Thanks to Uncle Luke for providing a great prop!
Do you have a favorite poem? Do you remember any of those you memorized in school? I'd love to hear about it.
8 comments:
I definitely remember that poem. I choose the same one back when I had to memorize a poem. See what an influence you had? Although, I only remember the first paragraph. Maybe I just had to read the rest? Good job Natalie and Cheyenne! Glad Snoopy's could come in handy for something : )
I have always liked this poem.. Thanks for the printable. Here is my Made with Love link: http://likemamalikedaughter.blogspot.com/2012/04/bell-bottom-baby.html
I've just printed out the poem for my son's room, Kimberly.
Thank you so very much!
Oh awesome. This is my husband's favourite poem - I am definitely printing this out. THanks for sharing at our party this week.
I had never heard that, it's great! No wonder you love it! Thank you for that!
This is a great poem. I've never read it before now. Thanks for sharing at Terrific Tuesdays.
Rachel
adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com
Love it and remember it from my days at school! I went to the same school as Seamus Heaney, not at the same time, and Mid Term Break stands out as I learned it in the self same place he wrote about. I also love Desiderata-which, if you like If, you will definitely love!
Thanks a good time to read this!
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