THE HAND HOLDERS
Tribute to Childcare Providers

There is no job more important than ours,
no job anywhere else in the land.
We are the keepers of the future;
we hold the smallest of hands.
Into our care we are trusted
to nurture and care for the young,
and for all of our everyday heroics,
our talents and skills go unsung.
We wipe tears from the eyes of the injured.
We rock babies brand new in our arms.
We encourage the shy and unsure child.
We make sure they are safe from all harm.
We foster the bonds of friendships,
letting no child go away mad.
We respect and we honor their emotions.
We give hugs to each child when they're sad.
We have more impact than does a professor,
a child's mind is molded by four;
so whatever we lay on the table
is whatever that child will explore.
Give each child the tools for adventure,
let them be artists and writers and more;
let them fly in the wind and dance on the stars
and build castles of sand on the shore.
It is true that we don't make much money
And we don't get a whole lot of praise,
But when one small child says, "I love you,"
we're reminded of how this job pays.