I looked around the world one day

And I was saddened at the sight

Of how we had come to treat

The growth of a child's light

I only took a quick look around

But to be sure, I took a second glance

And sure enough, I felt my heart sink

As I beheld the farcical song and dance

The raising of a child

Had become a thing of play

Lives to be cherished treated like simple toy dolls

To be dressed and to do what we say

Rarely a second thought being given

To the minds these dear young ones possess

No thought of their own to be valued

Til they pass all our rules and tests

Somewhere, somehow we decided

These toy dolls were a thing to be had

We took "making them in our own image" to mean

We should ensure that they fit in our plan

Instead of listening and guiding

Willing to both teach and be taught

We would show them the path to fulfill our dreams

To sing our songs and to think our thoughts

But would it not be better, my friends,

To raise champions who care, love, and reason

In ways they discover, perhaps different than ours

Perhaps in their own time and season

Dreaming great dreams, fighting for causes

With which we may not always agree

But who's to say we know it all anyway

Isn't choice that which makes us free?

Champions, I say, champions

No matter the color or creed

Abled, disabled, no difference it makes

Each child cherished and beautiful indeed

Our sons and our daughters are beings

With thoughts and feelings their own

Special and utterly awesome

Just as we were and are now we've grown

So may we all walk this journey together

In freedom to live, love, and share

To be great champions and not merely toy dolls

Always choosing to graciously care