My grandson is in First Grade and comes here after school. He makes things. Monday, he used my Amazon box collection, tape, staples, string, and who knows what else. He made a Mach One and a Mach Two uniform to wear as Iron Man. He decorated these with markers and embellished with “treasures.” His dad came. My grandson modeled both costumes and showed his dad the features of each.
Tuesday, he started making boots for the Mach Three. He could not run in the cardboard, nor could he keep them on -- a major challenge!!!! His dad came before he found a satisfactory solution. He was in “the messy middle,” doing the real work and having so much fun. Tuesday afternoon, he started the third Mach Uniform just because -- being almost seven, he knows the only way to make things is by making things and keep going. He comes back Thursday -- and who knows what he will do.
My thought – how old before you stop making things just because? When do we stop letting real joy slither into the real work?
Betty! I love the determination and creativity of your grandson! And the love and freedom you give him to let him explore, make a mess, problem solve. I think as children most of us are naturally this way - and then somewhere along the way to growing up - it gets lost again. I'm feeling like I'm rediscovering the forgotten joy of the middle at middle age- the not quite done, learning along the way, mess mess, and hoping I can model that for my now teen daughter. She also used to build with cardboard (houses for her dolls, complete with cardboard furniture, fabric scraps, wallpaper) and your note has made me really miss those days! Summer may be the perfect time to revisit that freedom...THIS : "being almost seven, he knows the only way to make things is by making things and keep going" is what we should all strive for.
Jill, thank you for your column. You use words that name the feelings, frustrations, quandaries I feel. This is a good thing. My day is better knowing that others often question everything also.
Okay I needed this reminder big time. I’ve been determined to “finish” a few large projects lately and have barely taken the time to look up and notice the beauty in the process. Thank you thank you 🙏
Wow! Your messy middle is so universal.
My grandson is in First Grade and comes here after school. He makes things. Monday, he used my Amazon box collection, tape, staples, string, and who knows what else. He made a Mach One and a Mach Two uniform to wear as Iron Man. He decorated these with markers and embellished with “treasures.” His dad came. My grandson modeled both costumes and showed his dad the features of each.
Tuesday, he started making boots for the Mach Three. He could not run in the cardboard, nor could he keep them on -- a major challenge!!!! His dad came before he found a satisfactory solution. He was in “the messy middle,” doing the real work and having so much fun. Tuesday afternoon, he started the third Mach Uniform just because -- being almost seven, he knows the only way to make things is by making things and keep going. He comes back Thursday -- and who knows what he will do.
My thought – how old before you stop making things just because? When do we stop letting real joy slither into the real work?
Betty! I love the determination and creativity of your grandson! And the love and freedom you give him to let him explore, make a mess, problem solve. I think as children most of us are naturally this way - and then somewhere along the way to growing up - it gets lost again. I'm feeling like I'm rediscovering the forgotten joy of the middle at middle age- the not quite done, learning along the way, mess mess, and hoping I can model that for my now teen daughter. She also used to build with cardboard (houses for her dolls, complete with cardboard furniture, fabric scraps, wallpaper) and your note has made me really miss those days! Summer may be the perfect time to revisit that freedom...THIS : "being almost seven, he knows the only way to make things is by making things and keep going" is what we should all strive for.
Jill, thank you for your column. You use words that name the feelings, frustrations, quandaries I feel. This is a good thing. My day is better knowing that others often question everything also.
Okay I needed this reminder big time. I’ve been determined to “finish” a few large projects lately and have barely taken the time to look up and notice the beauty in the process. Thank you thank you 🙏
this one resonates loudly
I’m so glad!