I want Walt to believe in magic for a little while. Santa, the Tooth Fairy and tonight, The Easter Bunny. Mainly because it's giddy fun. I also think a belief in fairy dust and chocolate-bearing rabbits can plant the seeds for an attitude of optimism and hope. I know. Someone commit me to The Mary Poppins Institute For Mentally Deranged Childcare Givers.
Here me out. Believing in something you can't see but who brings joy can be a bridge to faith. And Oh! Do I want my son to have faith! In human goodness, in the power of hope and especially in a loving power who is greater than himself. I don't care if he calls it God like I do. Heck, he can call it Buddha or the ocean just as long as he doesn't think it's him. Because nothing has brought me more misery than thinking I can somehow control of the world and it's people. And nothing has brought me more peace than turning it all over to a power I call God. So I want Walt to be able to tap into this power whenever he's troubled, confused and especially when he's grateful.
I want this more for him more than I want him to have high IQ or the ability to shred a guitar like Slash. More than a stadium full of cheering fans or an Emmy for best writing in a comedy/variety series. More than a Noble Pulitzer Guggenheim Grant. Because really? None of that stuff will bring you peace like the ability to quietly reflect.
I will not will push it. I will not force it. I will never, ever shove this down his throat. I will take him to church for a few years and lay it gently at his feet. And if he decides to leave it behind, well, he can borrow my prayers when the shit hits the fan.
Much like believing in the Easter Bunny, faith in God can be a silly fantasy if I really think about it. So I don't. Because today my faith brings me a touch of pause and peaceful reflection every day. And if I die and find out it's all a rouse, what's the big deal? I've been a fool for lesser things. It's making my life so much better now-and now is all I've got.
Now if you'll excuse me, Walt and I are going to try to catch a showing of "Hop". Then we're going to buy him new shoes for church tomorrow. See how it all works together? No? Sigh. Me neither. But a Mama's gotta try.
Happy Easter to all who celebrate. Happy Happy to everyone else!
8 comments:
Just because I don't celebrate Easter, doesn't mean I can't wish you a happy one! Sorry I'm late! And how was the movie?
Your post really made me think. The issue of Santa (whether to teach our toddler to believe in him or not) is a hot topic of debate between the Hubs and I. I'm con, he's pro. I never considered it as a bridge to faith, but maybe it can be. Hmmm...I have to go think about it some more. (and then prepare myself for Hubs' ill-concealed gloating over his Santa victory.)
Very well said. Happy Easter!
@Amy- OF COURSE you can wish me a Happy Easter. I made a mistake in saying Happy Easter to Christians. Non-Christians can celebrate with a good chocolate covered marshmallow egg just as good as anyone!
@PunkRizz: You know, I don't think it's bad to tell the kids the real truth. Who knows? Maybe it's better. I just got so much joy out of believing in Santa, Easter Bunny, et al, that I want Walt to have it too.
@Laura-Aw, thanks!
Oh, and Amy...we never made it to HOP. Walt took a super long nap instead. Fine by me!
I absolutely agree with you on all of it. Faith and innocence are not to be discounted at all. My two have their entire lives to be grown-ups with all that entails, so not yet on a few "truths." Happy Easter, Anne. I hope the bunny came to see you, too!
Thanks, E. Hope you got your bunny on, too! I must've been really good because now I've got more chocolate in my house than Willie Wonka!
Very well said!
Ashley DeMazza
Falls Village, CT
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