I've spent all day with children. Ages 4-8, mainly...I love kids. I really do. Their perspective is so pure, so uncorrupted by life that it's almost addicting to be around. To maintain the optimism and jubilance of a child throughout life would be a true miracle.
To see the best in the worst people.
I've noticed that there's a sort of cycle with emotion and true maturity. When we are very young, we cry for something. Our mothers, a toy.
As we get a little older, we start crying because of things. Boys, friends, hurt feelings.
But I think, as some people get even older, we start crying for things again. For people, for society- humanity or a lack thereof.
Is it all just a cycle, then? Going beyond Shakespere's "sans teeth, sans eyes" bit..I mean an actual maturity that has people wanting to be immature again? And I don't mean "immature" as in that's-my-swing-my-playground..I mean immature in the way we see life. Like it's maybe not such a big deal. Our scope of misfortune and hurt is contained in a playpen, the only heartache we recognize is like my today, when I was cutting out shapes for a little girl's felt doorhanger, and the heart I had made came in two. Heartbreak, right? How easy is that?
I had a teacher that always talked about the "loss of innocence." You know, when a child looks around and starts seeing pain in people instead of just frowny faces. Poof, an adult. I'm afraid that this phenomenon is happening in younger and still younger children. Too soon. The world is thrust upon kids who aren't ready for it, and it breaks my heart.
I met this little boy last week named Daniel. He was eight, and I love that kid more than most other people in my life. I think it's because he needed it more than most other people in my life. That sounds strange, but there it is. His life seemed to be more troubling than adults could handle. Much less an eight year old boy. He told me he wished he could "die and wake up in heaven." Kids shouldn't have to think like that. They should revel in the joy of having no cares as long as the possibly can. Childhood should not be taken away because of adults' problematic lives. It isn't fair.
I wish I could fix it. But there's only one person who can save this planet, and He isn't me.
I know growing up happens to everyone who doesn't die young. And I know that I have to deal with things in life I'd rather not. But my mama always told me that complaining a little does help.
So there it was..my complaining a little.
Prehaps more than a little, but this is my blog. This is what it's here for.
Love you, thanks for reading.
Forever Young,
Anna
EQUIPMENT
ReplyDeleteby Edgar A. Guest
Figure it out for yourself, my lad,
You've all that the greatest of men have had,
Two arms, two hands, two legs, two eyes
And a brain to use if you would be wise.
With this equipment they all began,
So start for the top and say, "I can."
Look them over, the wise and great
They take their food from a common plate,
And similar knives and forks they use,
With similar laces they tie their shoes.
The world considers them brave and smart,
But you've all they had when they made their start.
You can triumph and come to skill,
You can be great if you only will.
You're well equipped for what fight you choose,
You have legs and arms and a brain to use,
And the man who has risen great deeds to do
Began his life with no more than you.
You are the handicap you must face,
You are the one who must choose your place,
You must say where you want to go,
How much you will study the truth to know.
God has equipped you for life, but He
Lets you decide what you want to be.
Courage must come from the soul within,
The man must furnish the will to win.
So figure it out for yourself, my lad.
You were born with all that the great have had,
With your equipment they all began,
Get hold of yourself and say: "I can."
Author -- Edgar A Guest
wmknapp55@gmail.com
http://www.heaven4sure.com