True Love does not take a holiday.

We want so much for our precious children. We wish them to grow, to develop and become someone successful in life. There is so much to accomplish; there is still so much yet to be done. the weekend is starting the next day. though tired from a week of work, love never takes a holiday. We forget our own selves, our own needs. with love, the self is not important. Remember the time you court your wife? well, were we ever tired of making her happy? No, never! For the children we plan a weekend outing to have our children experience a new environment, new things and another source of knowledge and happiness.

I have mentioned before that the whole world is our children's classroom with everything in it our audio-visual aids. How big it is, how much is available depends upon our resourcefulness, our time and affordability. There is so much to discover, so much to enjoy and so much to learn. We are so happy for our children.

Each weekend, we could think of a place to go. Be it near or far, cheap or expensive, that is unimportant. What is more important are the new experiences that it holds for our children.

One such place could be a location with water. Children are naturally fascinated by the presence of water.

A waterfall would be lovely and refreshing. The whole family can relax under its cascading water. The sound of falling water drives off the daily worries that hound us throughout the week. The laughter of children frolicking in the water brings back memories of our care-free youth.

For our children, it will be an experience that theycan fall back on when life becomes burdensome someday. It is not just a dream but a wonderful experience they would have shared with their loving parents.

Use language to direct their attention to the scene there. Direct them towards the cold, refreshing water; the sprays that patter onto the body; the droplets that flow delightfully down from the head to the face and the body; and the sheet of endless water that rolls down, smashing with such force upon the rocks and the water below; raising foamy bubbles as it merges with the river.

Then, we can direct our children's attention to the glee and excitement expressed in the faces and body movements of other children. Get them to listen to the laughter and shouts of delight. look at the playfulness and the boisterous games some may be having. Have our children take a dip in the cold water to experience for themselves the feeling as the iciness assaults their senses. Let them realise how it can pep them up. Let them have the opportunity to respond to cold; shivering initially and then the reflexive vigorous shaking, jumping and clasping of theirbodies to bring body heat out to combat the freezing water. They will know how their bodies can acclimatise to the water's temperature. with that, they will be just as sprightly and energetic in the water as other children.

Make them realise how people appreciate the sun more in such circumstances, how they can adjust to the cold; how they can savour the contrast feel of cold and heat!

If we have introverts among us, the atmosphere at such a vibrant and boisterous environment can assist to bring them out of the introvert shell. They lose themselves, their shyness and would help them to express themslves more openly.

This is one way we can help introverts who are too timid, who find it a problem to mix and play with other children.

I know from experience that an introvert can open up and change if they are given the right environment to do so. They can change to such an extent that others would never believe that they were introverts at one time. You see, I am such an introvert. Through situations like the above, through my friends and their encouragement for me to participate fully in their programmes, I achieved the ability to speak confidently in front of crowds, to act without hesitation when and where necessary.

Sometimes, which is very seldom, i do feel the timidity of my soul, peeping out so self-consciously as I go through life. There are times i feel so awkward that I say and do the wrong things.Sometimes, something seemed to get me to do or not to do certain things and as a result the path of my life changes. At such times, I wonder if God has a purpose in mind.

Nevertheless, to this day I am more extrovert than introvert.

Back to our children, we can see how much benefits we can give them. Love brings gifts more valuable than those purchased from supermarket shelves!