My lifestyle the past few years has meant that I am almost constantly surrounded by kids, aged one to fifteen. Primarily they are the five boys and three girls who are my grandchildren but they have friends so I often find myself interacting with multiple toddlers, pre-teens and teens at any one time.
Covid has intensified the whole experience, because they either are all being artificially restrained from doing what they want to do — or suddenly free to do so once again. We’ve kept lurching around, courtesy of a virus that knows it’s a battle of wills that will ultimately decide the issue.
When they are free, and these youngsters race around unrestrained in the environments we share, one consequence is that I much more acutely feel my age. I can’t move about anywhere as fluidly as they do, which is seemingly without any effort whatsoever.
Not so me.
Their world is fast; mine is slow. But as a result, and in somewhat of a contradiction, I often find myself seeing the world through their eyes more than through my own.
Children, especially younger ones, regularly fly from one emotional extreme to another within the space of seconds. They laugh and cry, shout and whisper, embrace and withdraw much more frequently than I would ever allow myself to do.
Life must feel out of control to them, whereas my life follows mostly predictable rhythms with few surprises or unpredictable events. I’m not sure that I even like surprises any longer, or that I ever did.
They have frequent conflicts — over toys, space, rules or simply what to do with each other. There are also frequent bursts of pure joy. Extended periods of steadiness, of stability don’t really seem all that natural to most of them.
Meanwhile, somewhat depleted just by witnessing their displays, I often retreat to my room, where all is quiet, reserved, steady and predictable. Occasionally, one of the miniature folks around me will visit, temporarily bringing a bit of their delightful chaos into my den of solitude. For this I am grateful.
But mostly it’s just me, alone with my keyboard, the window with a hummingbird outside, the vast silence and a world of thoughts struggling to take shape into somethings I can share.
LATEST LINKS:
Heatwave: More evacuations as Mediterranean wildfires spread (BBC)
Deadly Heatwave, Wildfires Raging Across Europe (NBC)
'Climate change affects everyone' (Reuters)
The World Economy Is Imperiled by a Force Hiding in Plain Sight — Well more than two years into the worst pandemic in a century, the accompanying economic shock continues to assault global fortunes. (NYT)
‘They are preparing for war’: An expert on civil wars discusses where political extremists are taking this country — Author Barbara F. Walter sees echoes of Nazi Germany in polarized America. (WP)
Steve Bannon heads to contempt trial for defying Jan. 6 committee. Here's a breakdown of his case. (USA Today)
Jan. 6 Panel Issues Subpoena to Secret Service in Hunt for Text Messages (NYT)
The January 6th Hearings (New Yorker)
Many young Democrats are furious at Democrats. But they’re pushing through. (WP)
Joe Manchin is 'intentionally sabotaging the president's agenda': Bernie Sanders (ABC)
Russia strikes south Ukraine city, presses attacks in the east (CNBC)
Missiles hit Mykolaiv as Russia prepares to renew ground assault (WP)
Putin Aims to Shape a New Generation of Supporters, Through Schools (NYT)
Biden disputes Saudi account of Khashoggi murder discussion (Reuters)
Afghan Economy Crumbles Since Taliban Takeover — Businesses are struggling to import supplies or find customers who can pay amid crushing inflation and banking dysfunction, as the isolated government has driven away both foreign aid and investors (WSJ)
In Kabul, a new ritual: Hungry women wait for bread outside bakeries (NPR)
Native Americans fight for items looted from bodies at Wounded Knee (WP)
Restaurants are short-staffed, and that’s taking a big toll on customers and workers alike (CNBC)
With Few Able and Fewer Willing, U.S. Military Can’t Find Recruits (NYT)
Area Man Accepts Burden Of Being Only Person On Earth Who Understands How World Actually Works (The Onion)
TODAY’s LYRICS:
“What You Give Away”
Song by Vince Gill
Songwriters: Alan Gordon Anderson / Vince Gill
You read the business page, see how you did today
Life's just spent some by
You live up on the hill, you've got a view that kills
And never wonder why
After you've counted everything you've saved
Do you ever hit your knees and pray?
You know there's gonna be a judgment day
So what will you say?
No matter what you make
All that you can take
Is what you give away
What you give away
There's people on the street, ain't got enough to eat
And you just shake your head
The measure of a man is one who lends a hand
That's what my father said
After you've counted everything you've saved
Do you ever hit your knees and pray?
You know there's gonna be a judgment day
So what will you say?
No matter what you make
All that you can take
Is what you give away
It's what you give away
After you've counted everything you've saved
Do you ever hit your knees and pray?
You know there's gonna be a judgment day
So what will you say?
No matter what you make
All that you can take
Is what you give away
You know it's not too late
It's all for Heaven's sake
What you give away
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