Life can be confusing when you are four! Colt and I just finished reading this favorite childhood tale of mine together this morning:
My mixed up little man stated emphatically after:
"I'm so sad. . .[pause]. But I'm so happy! Duh sing dat made me sad is dat Charlotte died and duh lea-ttle babies went away. I'm happy dat duh pig got some new friends."
Ditto.
In token tribute might I share a favorite passage from this classic. Wilbur, a common garden-variety farm pig gets discouraged that he cannot spin a web like his dear friend, Charlotte, a grey spider. She consoles him, and offers the reader a beautiful insight by saying:
"You needn't feel too badly, Wilbur," she said. "Not many creatures can spin webs. Even men aren't as good at it as spiders, although they think they're pretty good, and they'll try anything. Did you ever hear of the Queensborough Bridge?"
Wilbur shook his head. "Is it a web?"
"Sort of, " replied Charlotte. "But do you know how long it took men to build it? Eight whole years. My goodness, I would have starved to death waiting that long. I can make a web in a single evening."
"What do people catch in the Queensborough Bridge--bugs?" asked Wilbur.
"No," said Charlotte. "They don't catch anything. They just keep trotting back and forth across the bridge thinking there is something better on the other side. If they'd hang head-down at the top of the thing and wait quietly, maybe something good would come along. But no--with men it's rush, rush, rush, every minute. I'm glad I'm a sedentary spider."
(Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White, pg 60-61)
In all the rushing here and there that is life, we forget that the grass isn't greener on the other side--and if it were, you would still have to mow it! It is easy to compare and compete--setting unreasonable and unattainable expectations for ourselves. How grateful and glad I am for good friends in my life, like Charlotte that are loyal and constantly reminding us (if not in web writing) by there association of our most important qualities. That we are 'some' body, 'terrific' even, 'radiant' at times. It is a 'humble'ing thing. Or as the goose would say: "Wonderful, underful, underful"!
Thank you for your wonderful association. Hope you have a good week!
1 comment:
Hey! I am so excited for Josh and Stephanie! I wish I could be there! Where is it that you are going to their wedding? I was thinking they were getting married in Chicago. Is that right? Yes, yes, Josh's wallet is a little thinner these days... :) I actually started stashing cash every time I got a paycheck back when we were managing in an envelope that said "Baby girl money" (this was before we were even trying) but I was hoping for someday! Now I get to go shopping guilt-free! :) How is everything with you? You are one of my few friends that still blogs and doesn't just do facebook. I love it! Keep it up!
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