This weekend the grandparents of Emma E. came to visit and brought with them a book. This book is a creative endeavor of the artist Claudia who has graciously illustrated so much of my work. This time the grandfather of this child has charmingly caught both granddaughter and grandmother reading.
When Emma E. comes to their home ten minutes away they go through an entrance ritual. Touching, looking, identifying, naming all the favorite things Emma E. loves.
Emma has cupboards in every place she visits it seems. She knows these are hers with safe things to bang and wallop. Books are favorites and bookcases are treasure troves she frequents and positions herself as her grandparents do with the morning paper.
This book is one Claudia put together for Emma with her favorite things at the grandparents’ that have meaning and delight. It is an awesome endeavor and seeing the artwork and portraits of Emma embracing these events at their home has me wanting all children righteously entitled.
In a more perfect world it would be so and I wish it were. That circumstances endow all involved with talents honed making the arrival of each child a welcome addition but also a promise. Not only would the body be fed but also the mind and play would be the obvious joy in learning.
Years ago friends visited and in discussing my latest manuscript that they liked, the visiting husband said, it took courage to public autopsy oneself while still breathing. He then said the unforgettable and that was ‘it was easier to be philosophical on a full stomach.’
It applies to all endeavors and connects all, you see. In an equitable world as children we would be born and welcomed with a promise to be fed mind, body and spirit. Our talents would multiply and all worlds would benefit because our abundance of good would spill over.
The large animals like elephants and the wild jungle friends would not be lost in time and bees and butterflies would be profuse.
On a full stomach the mind can stretch to cover esoteric lives we may not touch but hunger for knowledge we would about all life. It is difficult to feign interest when hunger pains beg for sleep. The friend’s comment was apt.
If Emma E. needs art for her development, she made a good choice in parents. And we needed some laughter and joy in our lives. Hats and slurping pasta are such fun things to do! And we the appreciative audience.
Ahhh. . . you see and we know. . . .there is balance when there is patience. It is just that the mills grind slowly.
6 responses to “All Children: Righteously Entitled. . . my need to see. . . .”
email from Suzanne. . . .She is beautiful. And I LOVE that she’s stretched out on the floor with her book; all wrapped up in “reading.” What a head start she’s got.
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email from Jane McMillen. . . Good to see little Emma E. What a little doll she is and she certainly knows what to do with her special treats!!
Nicely written, Grandma. Emma does love her books!
Suzanne, I wish every child could be loved as she is. What a world this would be! Thank you.
Jane, and when her grandparents speak of her joy in coming to them, I am so glad for her. And she has her rituals with them. A real belonging for everyone. Thank you for commenting.
Harrison, and she comes by it naturally because you are her dad. She is a treasure as are you!