“Creation seems to come out of imperfection. It seems to come out of a striving and a frustration and this is where I think language came from. I mean, it came from our desire to transcend our isolation and have some sort of connection with one another. And it had to be easy when it was just simple survival. Like you know, “water.” We came up with a sound for that. Or saber tooth tiger right behind you. We came up with a sound for that. But when it gets really interesting, I think, is when we use that same system of symbols to communicate all the abstract and intangible things that we’re experiencing. What is like… frustration? Or what is anger or love? When I say love, the sound comes out of my mouth and it hits the other person’s ear, travels through this byzantine conduit in their brain through their memories of love or lack of love, and they register what I’m saying and they say yes, they understand. But how do I know they understand? Because words are inert. They’re just symbols. They’re dead, you know? And so much of our experience is intangible. So much of what we perceive cannot be expressed. It’s unspeakable. And yet you know, when we communicate with one another and we feel that we have connected and we think that we’re understood I think we have a feeling of almost spiritual communion. And that feeling might be transient, but I think it’s what we live for.” – Kim Krizan in the animated film Waking Life
As I am just beginning my journey of parenting a tiny human, like many, I often reflect on the way I was raised, what I appreciated about my childhood, and what I would like to do differently. I think if any of us dig deep enough, no matter how great out childhood was, there are aspects of our parents ways that we do not authentically align with. Then, there are also people who find it easy to come up with a mental list of all of what they would like not to repeat. Some refer to this as “breaking the cycle.” I think breaking the cycle is such an incredible and healing way of loving the young people in our lives.
Today, as I enjoyed a little 3am writing session, thanks to a wake-up call from my little one, this was something I considered. I asked myself how I would like the love we share to be defined and what my hopes for his future are. Some hopes, for the record, are to ensure he has the tools and support to grow into his dreams, to cultivate healthy relationships, to strongly advocate for himself, the Earth, and its people, and to receive care without guilt. I think the harder part is putting these hopes into small but consistent action, but I know if I keep them in my heart and consciousness that they will spill out in my love for him. Plus, with a growth mindset and willingness to practice vulnerability in our relationships, it’s never too late to begin again.
How do you define loving? What are your hopes for the future generation? I would love to hear from you.
What is happening for the remainder of February…
This Sunday and every upcoming Sunday, children and youth are invited for activities downstairs following the tale for all ages (approximately 10:40am) and our nursery is open a few minutes before service begins (10:20am). This Sunday, Deb Fitzloff and Barb Franchino will be hosting the children and youth in the CFD room, and Keri Johnson and Ireland Olson will be staffing the nursery.
Tonight, Macey Forsyth and Korinne Spicer plan to be present to provide care to children who join us during the writing group and potluck / game night. A week from tonight, on Wednesday, February 15th, Lee Ganske and Macey plan to be at UUFM to host a check-in, reflection, game, and pizza with our youth, and Julia Hamann joins them to ensure there is care for our Moms Demand Action kids. Please register below to give us an idea of how much food to bring!
RSVP for next week’s in-person Youth Group at UUFM:
https://uufm.breezechms.com/form/d2372c