my life in lists :: necessities for a thriving childhood

::  engaged, loving, forgiving, accepting, encouraging parents

::  a welcoming, orderly (which means some sense of order, not immaculately clean!) home

::  a simple prayer life

::  wholesome foods

::  plenty of freedom in the outdoors

::  a library card

::  a bicycle

::  access to the bits that can be found in the recycling bin

::  generous amounts of paper and pencil

::  water for drinking, bathing, experimenting, playing

::  music for making, dancing, and listening

::  pocket knife

::  a diversity of friends and conversation

::  a drawer or box for keeping things

::  work of substance, a contributing role in the family