Julian also had an amazing time, both on this field trip and the one they had yesterday. We went to the beach on Sunday so he could show us how he learned to bodysurf! (It only made me nervous when his brother decided he wanted to try, as well… and he doesn’t have as much bodyweight to counterbalance the pounding of the waves.)
How I wish I could come to more of these outings. I love watching the kids, too, though I do worry about them---not so much what they’ll do with the world that we give them, but more what the world will be like when we give it to them to fix. It’s a formidable task. And will Annie and Julian and Ptolemy and Gabriel and the rest be leaders or followers… Ah well. They will all have their roles to play.
Thanks for the post, by the way! I have been neglecting my blog in a big way, recently. Must remedy that.
Meera, your other comment gives me incentive to write something dedicated directly to your points, but I am too tired tonight!
However, I could not go to bed without responding to your concern about leaders and followers. We are already teaching our kids how to be leaders when required, and followers as well. We have to be both. I suffered ten minutes going down Highway 1 with Julian chanting “Obama!” Of course, by the time I finished talking to him, he was chanting all sorts of conservative lines… just kidding. Don’t have a panic attack. However, I know your son fairly well, and I know my daughter very well. They both have some learning to do with regards to what they follow and what they will lead. But they have models to follow, and continued training that will make them ready for the task. I might be frustrated with what we leave them, but I am confident in what they will do. It seems a little odd, but I personally take great solace in what I think Annie will do. It might be a large part, it might be a small part, but she will do what it takes to make her family succeed and make a difference in the world in which they live. I see it in her eyes when we talk. I may have been unsuccessful at it myself, but that look I see staring back at me might as well be from a mirror…
Great writing David. Glad you went in the water even if it was cold. You must get that from me. I hope to go in the lake this afternoon.