Love and Lima Beans: A Poem from Aunt Nina

I promise to never teach you hate.
I promise to always teach you love.

I don’t eat lima beans.
But I won’t teach you to hate lima beans.

I don’t enjoy mean people.
But I’ll teach you to pause and think about why they are so mean.

I avoid bad traffic.
But I’ll teach you to hope everyone drives safely home.

Coconut milk is not my favorite.
But I’ll teach you to try everything at least once.

I get sad when I see poverty.
I’ll teach you to help those in need.

I’m bad at science.
But I’ll teach you to love learning.

I’m not a fan of hot weather.
I’ll teach you to always wear sunscreen.

I promise to never teach you hate.
I promise to always teach you love.

I don’t listen to country music.
But I’ll teach you about folk rock.

Big crowds are not my favorite.
But we can go on adventures.

Hyenas scare me.
But I’ll tell you stories of watching them play in the mud.

Heat makes me sweat.
I’ll teach you the coolness of shade.

People who hate people aren’t always very nice.
I’ll teach you to find the good in every person.

I don’t like to fight.
I’ll always love you unconditionally.

I promise to never teach you hate dear ones,
I promise to always teach you love.