How Much Our Interest Means

They’ll only care how much we know,
When they know how much we care.
In our acceptance, much will show,
Of the love in what we share.

Little kids say, “ I know that.”
They want to be acknowledged;
An arm around one, loving pat,
Mean more than years of college.

Listening, more than many words,
Grants meaning shared in facts.
Strange how they’re much better heard,
Words outweighed by our acts.

To help, affirm, advise a friend,
Can we hope to give a lift?
When words with validation blend,
Encouragement is a gift.

Give thought to their opinion;
Others, too, unsureness bear.
Surprise, they may even listen,
When we show how much we care.