A Reflection on Innocence

Sitting, watching Ava and Tyler during their weekly swim lesson, I was overcome with a sense of peace. There they were, young, innocent, full of life and energy playing in the water, splashing each other and laughing. So innocent and pure. I began thinking of Julia and watching the three of them huddled over a book, listening as Julia takes them through the adventure that lies within. I began to think about this past weekend, all three of them working on their art and teaching each other about each other's interests. Listening to them talk about what they love, what they're concerned about, what they're interested in and learning from one another about differences in perspectives. There is unquestioning acceptance among them. Unconditional love.

I just want to capture that for them and hold them close...keep the world's troubles at bay...make the world more perfect for them so that they might hold onto this child like sense of peace just a little while longer. As much as I would like my job as a parent to be to change the world to suit my kids, it's not. I know that my role, as a parent, does not lie in orchestrating their circumstances in the world for them, but in preparing them for the world. My job is to fill them with love, help them believe in who they are, give them a strong sense of self. A strong sense of faith. My job is to help them see that they matter in ways that go far beyond their personal experiences in the here and now. My job is to teach them how to navigate the world and remain true to themselves. My job is to help them develop the strength they will need to remain true to themselves in the face of peer pressure, and to help them balance their desire to "fit into" a world that oftentimes contradicts personal values with a desire to maintain their autonomy...help them recognize their defining moments...those moments that clearly define who they are as they stand up for what they see as right in the face of adversity. My job is to help them develop coping skills and the ability to not only overcome adversity, but to excel as individuals as they do it.

As much as I want to protect this innocence right now, I know that in doing that, I would cripple them. So I guess what I will do is remember this sense of peace as I watch the innocence and purity of my children grow and develop into maturity and wisdom. And I'll hope that a part of that innocence and purity remains alive in them as they move through their lives. And maybe, just maybe, in teaching my children to be authentic in their interactions...to be true to themselves despite their circumstances...maybe then together we'll have our own little impact on the world around us.