Pirate Story

I know that when our children are grown, they will try to remember the details of their childhoods. So many details will escape their memories... like the color of the curtains, the names of some playmates, the location of certain events. But, some details will be etched so permanently on their hearts that they will be able to replay them at ease.

I am certain these memories will include the hours that they spend playing dress-up. Our sweet children are constantly in costume! One day they are exploring the west as a pioneer family, the next they are kings and queens with loyal (stuffed animal) subjects. We have been sports teams, scientists, superheros, bible characters, doctors/nurses, cowboys/indians...

One of their favorite roles to play is pirates! They speak with "argh", carry swords and someone usually finds treasure. We have even all taken 'pirate names', all 5 of us, to help the charade!

Brent: PegLeg --- Melissa: Alcatraz

Abigail: Carribean --- Samuel: HookSword --- Ethan: TheSquawker

While we were reading poetry for school this week, we came upon Pirate Story by Robert Louis Stevenson. It perfectly describes a day when our little pirates were loose in Virginia this past May.

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Pirate Story
Three of us afloat in the meadow by the swing,
Three of us aboard in the basket on the lea.
Winds are in the air, they are blowing in the spring,
And waves are on the meadow like the waves there are at sea.

Where shall we adventure, to-day that we're afloat,
Wary of the weather and streering by a star?
Shall it be to Africa, a-steering of the boat,
To Providence, or Babylon, or off to Malabar?

Hi! but here's a squadron a-rowing on the sea-
Cattle on the meadow a-charging with a roar!
Quick, and we'll escape them, they're as mad as they can be,
The wicket is the harbor and the garden is the shore.

Robert Louis Stevenson

Whatever details they remember, I pray they are all viewed against the backdrop of our unmeasurable love for them! You see, we also have searched for treasure and these three dear hearts are among our most valuable finds! Praise God for each of them.