This week we are with our four youngest grandchildren, ages 7 (twins), 9, and 10, for seven days before they start back to school.
Needless to say, there hasn’t been a dull moment thus far because that is the way children are, always jumping, running, laughing, playing games, and, of course, tattling on each other in hopes of getting somebody in trouble.
But what stands out as it always does whenever people my age are with children their age is just how totally innocent they really are.
Yes, they can be unkind, even mean to one another, but at the end of the day they are still children, children who trust the adults around them to love them, take care of them, keep them safe, and tuck them in bed with a good night kiss.
They are innocent because abstractions have not yet entered into their thinking. Literal pretty much describes the world they live in. Existence is for a moment. Even when they are excited about going to the park tomorrow, today is the only thing on their radar screen.
They play a game and then move on to the next one or the next set of rules one of them comes up with. They make up stuff as they go along. Nothing is complicated. The sillier the activity the more fun it is.
As I sit and watch them thinking about their world and mine my mind wonders, and I begin to wish things for them, and for all children.
I wish they never had to worry about the kind of economic inequity our nation now has.
I wish they would never have to know that not all children get to go to a doctor like one of them did this week whenever they need to.
I wish when they get older they would never have political leaders who were ready at the drop of a hat to send them to war.
I wish when they become adults they would live in an America that really did judge people by the content of their character instead of the color of their skin.
I look at my grandchildren, innocent as they are, and wish I didn’t have to worry about the damage my generation is doing to the planet they will inherit because of our selfishness.
I especially wish for them that we had never become a nation that foolishly tolerates frustrated cowboys who want to go to their child’s elementary school wearing a gun.
This week I have thought a lot about how wonderful all children are, not because they are always good, but because they are so innocent and fragile, and wished so much that we really were the kind of country we could be.
But, alas, we are not, and maybe never will be, for many reasons, I suppose, but one of the main ones being that too many of us think we already are.
And yet, I cannot give up trying to do my small part in making our nation better, for the sake of my grandchildren, and everyone’s grandchildren, here and even around the world.
linnposts.com 
Thank you for this sweet look at your grandchildren…and all children/grandchildren. You can add that if ALL children/grandchildren had caring parents/grandparents like you, our country would be so much better off. But since they don’t, my wish would be that if everyone would take on the responsibility of being a mentor to someone else’s child/teenager, we could make changes–slowly but steadily. I have seen first hand how well it works– one child at a time.
Thanks, Kay, for adding this good comment.
As Kay nicely points out, the first half (7 paragraphs) of your post is a “sweet” and loving reflection on your grandchildren. Also, her admonition to all of us to make a difference “one child at a time” is well-taken.
The larger reality is what you address in your “I wish” statements (paragraphs 8 thru 13), where you articulate the societal ills that plague us — and that must be addressed via the social and political will of right-minded Americans.
Your last 3 paragraphs summarize the national — indeed worldwide — challenge that we face as involved citizens. And while you acknowledge the “blindness” and naiveté of those who think we are doing fine as a nation, you bravely state your intention to do your part in making it better. We know you will.
As I know you are doing as well, Bill.
Thanks Jan,
Keep on doing your part……it’s important.
Nice reflection Jan
As an elder it is my responsibility to teach my grandchildren that All of Creation is sacred, and all should be handled with care; equally!
Thank you Jan! Tonight, I will wish upon a star the same wishes as you mentioned and say a prayer. In particular, because of a recent event, and a sad heart, I wish that no young person is so harmed or ostracized by others that they take their own life. I wish that Mental health and depression issues not fall through the cracks! Yes, we will all keep on doing our little part to “make a difference.” Have fun with your precious grandchildren!!
Wishing upon a star, an old and wonderful phrase. Thanks, Virginia.
I had an uncle, born at the turn of the last century, tell me at my 1970 college graduation: “I hope your generation does better than mine in the world.” Whatever “enlightened” mentality and peace oriented world views we cultivated in the 60s, in part, overly free spirited and reckless, were incrementally repressed by the dominant minority of the day through their three assassinations and the beginning of the neoconservative corporate agenda, in full bloom today. Our “boomer” generation lost our innocence and fell in line; caved to the tyranny of the few! Yes, to transform the sacred innocence in our children into sacred ways as adults, we must recover/uncover the “light” of our youthful years and challenge the dark narrow path that will mire them as it has done to us. The master – serf mentality can be ended! Their innocence can reignite our own repressed innocence; help us see “what could be and say why not.” Grandparents and grandchildren can be transformative reciprocal relationships!
We can all participate in what you suggest, Bob. Let’s hope we take the time to do so.
Thank you Jan. Amen.
Thanks, Jan — and am so glad you and Joy have been able to have time with your grandchildren. Thanks too for welcoming me and Mike on Aug. 9th — it was a wonderful morning to share our faith and ideas with you and the others who gathered in your home. We survived our four-day mule ride in Yosemite National Park — loved the High Sierra Camps, but getting up and down the mountains on the mules was very demanding! Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts that are so similar to mine. Coleen (& Mike) Myers – Iowa