I work with children 6 out of 7 days per week. I hear their laughter. I see their tears. I hear what goes on in the home, good or bad. They cry for their mom’s when sick or hurt, or when homework is left at home, I see those tears as well, for mom nor dad cannot bring it to them, and it breaks their child’s heart. It seems inconsequential to an adult to worry over homework, but to children it is of immense importance. Children know all too well about priorities. They live it every day.
It is difficult not to get close to these children, though it is school policy, but inevitably they look to me or others for comfort and assurance, and though it helps, ultimately they want mom or dad to give the attention.
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
“Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” Psalms 127:3
They rarely speak of the latest game, or toy. Instead, they speak of having breakfast at school with dad, or mom who may pick them up at school on a certain day. They speak of times in which they hope they will spend together with parents, and their brothers and sisters.
We have become a nation of people out of breath, living faster than ever. We major in minors and minor in majors, while our lives are slipping away with an endless “to do” list, and children no longer fit into the schedules.
One day there will no longer be a “to do” list, for the final list will be, “what I did” in this life. …and what will our answer be? Did we live for those things which are eternal, or temporal?
But for now, the temporal is of all importance while we continue to lie to ourselves a slower pace is coming. But the unvarnished truth is, there is no slowing down. It is an illusion, and left in its wake are children.
“A grandmother is a lady who has no children of her own. She likes other people’s little girls and boys. A grandfather is a man grandmother. He goes for walks with the boys, and they talk about fishing and stuff like that.
Grandmothers don’t have to do anything except to be there. They’re old so they shouldn’t play hard or run. It is enough if they drive us to the market where the pretend horse is, and have a lot of dimes ready. Or if they take us for walk, they should slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars. They should never say “hurry-up.”
Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth and gums off.
Grandmothers don’t have to be smart, only answer questions like”Why isn’t God married?” and “How come dogs chase cats?”
Grandmothers don’t talk baby talk like visitors do, because it is hard to understand. When they read to us they don’t skip or mind if it is the same story over again.
Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don’t have television, because they are the only grownups who have time.” ~ Written by a Third Grader
Eileen Light