ACTIVE VOICE FOR CHILDREN

In many cultures over the centuries, children have been marginalized and viewed as empty vessels needing to tbe filled with information, training, discipline and facts unrelated to their nature, their hearts, or their life purpose.  The adult world has often missed the person in favor of convenient labels and behavioral descriptions. 

If I slow down enough inside myself, I may explore how I personally view children and how "we" view children collectively.  What are our beliefs and expectations of children, educational systems, parenting and, possibly how our beliefs may interfere with easy harmonious, respectful relationships between children and adults.

I might even discover fresh ways to be with children and myself.  I could reclaim  my own sense of innocence, play and being present and real with myself and especially children.  I might even practice seeing through the eyes of children with a sense of wonder.  I could even ask myself "what would I have wanted from the adults around me, when I was a child?  What would have worked?  What would have been welcome?  

CHILDREN ARE FUNNY

What's funny about children.  Everything is funny about children. They play, they laugh, they hug, they kiss, they play more, and they cry when their bodies demand it. 

They communicate with people, dogs, cats, butterflies, bees, stuffed toys, pillows and
all so-called inanimate objects. 

They see things that we once saw but now tend to dismiss as not there.  They feel and sense things that we would feel too, if we slowed down and agreed to feel everything that was within and around us. 

The children, without being taught, care about everyone.Until taught differently, they see no separation between others and themselves.  They own nothing.  It is not mine, it is ours.  They have no need to own stuff.  Only play with it, study it, or hug it

Children really are funny, in the most positive way.  They can laugh and cry, always coming from the same internal source of expression.  Simple expression.   Children really are us externalized.   Children are a constant example of what we really look like inside,, whether we call them our own, or they’re free range children running through our lives……. having no need for adult identities, a public self, desire to look good,

impress anyone or have need to be right. 

Children are us, someone once told me.  Actually it was me that told me that. 

NORMA

My son and I went to a celebration/funeral today for a Native American/American Indian elder woman.  Her name is Norma.   Norma passed on, died, left this earth dimension in mid-June, 2015.  Her age does not matter.  

We met Norma five years ago when she volunteered to "teach" some students at his school how to make a Dream Catcher, something Native people often live with from birth. 

We only met Norma a few times, yet she often felt like "family."   I expected the church "celebration of life" to consist of a few people and family.  Instead over 500 people showed up,  people of different color, background, age and religion. 

We learned that Norma had led a life of connecting with people everywhere, dedicated to her five children, now older, and being an activist and advocate for all people.  She combined her Christian life with the ancient ways of Native Americans, specifically Apache. 

When I would sometimes sit with Norma, I listened to her stories of physical and emotional pain, her dedication to bringing about respect for everyone, and her great love for her family, comprised of grandchildren, and the children of others.  Norma insisted only that her children be of service, use no alcohol, cigarettes or drugs. 

She is an example of a human being that holds "space" for everyone.  Her daughter Andrea,  met Boye and I "one" time years ago.   And today, amongst over 500 people, Andrea, one of the speakers and singers at the celebration, hugged Boye and I, and remembered our names.

For me, I knew we were "seen" by Norma and family.  They saw who we were inside, beneath our outer personality, and ways.   

Norma and her family remember people.  They remember because they live out what they teach.  These five hundred people were part of her community of spirit.