A few months back I had the wonderful opportunity of spending
a whole week with one of my grandchildren. It struck me during this time, that
childhood provides a quality of specialness that nearly vanishes for the rest
of life once one is considered “grownup”. As parents, we are occupied with the
“busy-ness” of life and often miss the small moments that grandparents are
granted: to see their offspring in a different perspective; to watch their
grandchildren grow. Since becoming a grandmother two years ago my granddaughter
has grown from a tiny infant to an active and engaged little person.
Coupled with all the endearing things small children can
say, the question “Why?” becomes a recurring reminder that young children are
constantly trying to figure out their surroundings. It is also a reminder that
as older, smarter adults, we don’t always have an easy answer that will suit
their curiosity. In fact, after a question is posed nearly 100 times on the same
topic, in a 20 minute span, you want to throw Why out of the dictionary. (I
mean how do you explain why, to a two and a half year old, the water has to do
down the drain after bath time, where it goes and why the bar of soap doesn't also disappear!) But isn’t it true that
without “Why” there is no purpose, no meaning for all the rest of life. The Whos
Whats Whens Wheres are only defined by the Whys. Why puts things in context, it
helps us understand the reasons for our behaviors.
Of course, a young child isn’t processing all this as they
maneuver through life’s journey, but isn’t it amazing that they have figured
out at such a young age the need to define their little world; they have
figured out the power of why (aside from the fact that if they ask “Why?”
enough times, Grammie’s probably going to go comatose and need a nap). As
growing children, they absorb everything like a sponge and are clever enough to
assimilate what is presented to them. (Disclaimer: one certainly must watch
what they say in front of these pint-sized repeating machines – you might have
some explaining to your own set of Whys!).
We can learn from these inquisitive youngsters. Equipped
with the answers to Why, we can achieve the Hows. I think us “grownups” have to remember that we
need to question more; hold on to inquisitiveness; look for new aspirations in
life; don’t just rush through life, really focus on the meanings. Spending time
with a young child sloooooows down your life; everything is looked at closer,
longer and with a furrowed brow.
The clock is ticking. Time is precious. The childhood of my
own children passed like a blink, I’m sure with each generation it gets
quicker. Go ahead. Renew your eagerness for knowledge. You can never search too
much. You are at an age where no one is going to question your curious intellect.
Pry a little. Meddle a bit. Explore, analysis and question. Never stop
questioning. Why – there it is again- would you ever do that?
Carpe Diem!
