Yesterday, I posted about evil and a couple of other things. Today, I experienced the antithesis of evil: children.
My wife and I were the designated Shabbat parents at the nursery school this morning. We brought two loaves of challah, a book, and a CD. We got to sit at the head of the table with the Girl Child. I also, in a multicultural twist at the Jewish preschool, sat next to a very non-Jewish Korean boy. My wife lit the candles and we all said the prayers over the bread, the wine (grape juice), and the candles. The children sang a song. After the celebration, I sat in a rocking chair and, in honor of the Girl Child's other heritage, read a story to the class. I read: Hiccup: The Seasick Viking.
Reading to a class of three year olds was the most pure fun I have had in a really long time. And I gave it a full, dramatic recitation, with different voices for every character and I certainly sang the song in the book to the best of my limited abilities.
My wife then explained the CD we brought with us and the children all danced to Norwegian children's music. The Girl Child grabbed another girl, held hands, and jumped about the place -- when she wasn't dancing with her mother, that is.
It was pure, unalloyed joy and the pleasure was exquisite.
So, the anti-evil? The beauty of a child's smile.
Have a great weekend, y'all!
If you need me, I regret to report that I expect to be at the office all weekend.
Posted by Random Penseur at November 19, 2004 05:02 PMWhat a wonderful book to read!!!!
Yes, children are the antidote. To many things. Hope you get out of the pffice for a little while at least this weekend so you can spend some time with your own antidotes...
Posted by: Elizabeth at November 19, 2004 07:57 PMChildren are so pure and straightforward in their emotions... why do we train them out of it?
Posted by: Omni at November 19, 2004 08:25 PMSilver lining of the ugly clouds of today...
Posted by: Hannah at November 20, 2004 05:14 AMSticky smiles, happy giggles, and their smiles. You are right, they are anti-evil.
Posted by: Rachel Ann at November 20, 2004 03:33 PMUnfortunately, I have been here all weekend again. But, I did get some good cuddle time this morning when the Girl Child slipped into our bed.
On the plus side, I have not been home enough to catch the cold that is sweeping my house.
Posted by: RP at November 21, 2004 10:53 AMSounds like a great time. I agree, children can chase the grumpies from almost anyone. My little boy probably saved my life.
I never quite understood how some religions can claim children are born with sin, and therefore sinners. How this can be I have never known. How can you sin when you don't know what sin is?
Posted by: Oorgo at November 22, 2004 04:40 PM