Backstory
There is concern these days about the world into which we are bringing children. What kind of future will they have in this great land of America? Is it as promising as once it was?
When we suddenly had three little boys enter the family all at the same time, it got me to thinking about things like that.
Three Baby Boys
They were born just months apart; three grand-babies for my lucky sister. It was such a surprise when her married children announced they were all pregnant, one after the other. She could not wait to have all three babies in one place at one time.
This summer it happened. The whole family gathered – from Chicago, New Jersey, Virginia – and celebrated the first birthdays of all three babies.
It was amazing how different they all were. One was already walking – toddling around the picnic grounds as independently as you please. One had a look of fine concentration; like he was taking everything in and had profound unspoken knowledge. The third was complacent and charming, smiling all the while and cuddling with anyone who offered their hands to hold him.
I was thinking my future and yours lie in the hands of these three baby men and thousands like them who are just coming into our world, our society, and our environment. What values will they have as they grow up? What morals will they uphold? What will the world expect of them?
The only thing I could predict for sure is that they will all be different from the way I was brought up. Very different. Better? Worse? History has yet to tell.
But as I kissed their sweet cheeks and felt the warmth of their smiles, I felt that my future was in good hands.
P.S. These babies will learn a new kind of balance between work and life. They will be judged by vastly different rules and norms. Their language will be full of words their parents never knew. They will be baffled by the things we believed and accepted. Parents and grandparents will be left in the dust of modern comprehension – just as we left the last two generations behind us.
[Show #303]
Still my FAVORITE of your shows. All 3 of those grandsons are now top honor students! And they all have set their sights on changing the world for the better. Watch out World, here they come!
How beautiful was your response
When I celebrated my 75th birthday, I spent some time thinking about the changes I have seen in my lifetime. There are so many new products and ways to do our daily jobs. Then I compared those changes with the ones my parents and grands must have seen. For example, we have technology where they had machinery and human power. And our world has expanded to include space but become smaller because of technology. What would have taken our ancestors days or weeks, takes us only minutes and hours. Our children and grands will have new horizons and new ideas, just as we did. I am so glad I am still here to watch them, at least for another couple of decades (I hope!)
Jill – You may not have seen the P.S. to this story, if just listening. Here’s what was added –
P.S. These babies will learn a new kind of balance between work and life. They will be judged by vastly different rules and norms. Their language will be full of words their parents never knew. They will be baffled by the things we believed and accepted. Parents and grandparents will be left in the dust of modern comprehension – just as we left the last two generations behind us.
Love you!
TWO decades???
Jill – You may not have seen the P.S. to this story, if just listening. Here’s what was added –
P.S. These babies will learn a new kind of balance between work and life. They will be judged by vastly different rules and norms. Their language will be full of words their parents never knew. They will be baffled by the things we believed and accepted. Parents and grandparents will be left in the dust of modern comprehension – just as we left the last two generations behind us.
Love you!
Hope you read P.S.