Monday, April 17, 2006
So Much For the Manger
When we get older and have some life experience behind us, we tend to forget what it's like to Not Understand. We can only process information in the context of what we already know, but as adults, we know a lot.
Add to that the fact that most of us adults have the luxury of remaining in environments about which we've accumulated the most information. I don't spend weekends trying to survive in the wilderness, nor have I traveled to places with strict contraints on what women are allowed to do. Were I to undertake such an adventure, I'd have wisdom enough to know there's a lot I don't know, but I'd still be disoriented. Probably make some mistakes, too.
Because their life experiences are so much more limited, children are always bumping into experiences they can't understand. They then try to squeeze that new information into the framework of what they already know, such as it is. Which is how it is that things like this happen.
At Lee's mother's house, where we celebrated Easter, Boo came across a nativity scene that Nancy had chosen to leave out after Christmas. The three small figurines are devoid of facial features or other details, save for the staff in Joseph's hand. Boo studied the clay figures for a moment, then picked up the one that represented Mary and showed her to me.
"Mommy, this one is kind of like you."
"Really, Boo? Why do you think so?"
"Because she's the mommy."
"I see! I think you're right."
Then he picked up another. "And this one is kind of like Daddy."
"Because you think he's the daddy?"
"Yes."
Boo picked up the Baby Jesus.
"And this one is me in the bathtub."
Add to that the fact that most of us adults have the luxury of remaining in environments about which we've accumulated the most information. I don't spend weekends trying to survive in the wilderness, nor have I traveled to places with strict contraints on what women are allowed to do. Were I to undertake such an adventure, I'd have wisdom enough to know there's a lot I don't know, but I'd still be disoriented. Probably make some mistakes, too.
Because their life experiences are so much more limited, children are always bumping into experiences they can't understand. They then try to squeeze that new information into the framework of what they already know, such as it is. Which is how it is that things like this happen.
At Lee's mother's house, where we celebrated Easter, Boo came across a nativity scene that Nancy had chosen to leave out after Christmas. The three small figurines are devoid of facial features or other details, save for the staff in Joseph's hand. Boo studied the clay figures for a moment, then picked up the one that represented Mary and showed her to me.
"Mommy, this one is kind of like you."
"Really, Boo? Why do you think so?"
"Because she's the mommy."
"I see! I think you're right."
Then he picked up another. "And this one is kind of like Daddy."
"Because you think he's the daddy?"
"Yes."
Boo picked up the Baby Jesus.
"And this one is me in the bathtub."
