August 2 – “On creativity”

One of the things Chris does when Cailyn comes over to stay is work with her on things like handwriting and reading and even some basic math.  You know, readin’, ‘ritin’ and ‘rithmetic.  She’s pretty good on all counts, too.  I meant Cailyn, but Chris is a good teacher.  Yesterday we were at the table and Cailyn decided it was time to “do some schoolwork.” She went to her drawer of supplies, pulled out a notebook and some colored pencils and started drawing some swirls.  Hey, art counts, too, doesn’t it?  After a few minutes Chris announced that it was August first, “And school for Cailyn starts in just 25 days.”  Cailyn grinned broadly and continued with her yellow swirls.  Chris then tossed out a challenge.  Something along the lines of, “One of the things your teacher will want you to do in school is write your name.”  Cailyn said, “I can do that.”  She carefully turned the page in her notebook, smoothed out the wrinkles, and picked up her yellow pencil.  Turning to Chris she pronounced, “Watch … and learn.” 

Now, around our house the schoolwork is never limited to just the “3 R’s.”  There is always that bit of imagination-stretching that every child desperately needs.  Of course here they probably get more than “a little bit” of imagination stretching.  Chris and I stayed there at the table as Cailyn completed her name and moved on to bigger and better things in her notebook.  We started comparing notes on the things Mom does when she gets up late at night.  Chris completed one story about how we can hear Mom’s bed rustling when she gets up – our cue to be on the alert for the footsteps that inevitably follow.  Cailyn listened intently.  And not to be outdone, she announced that she, too, had a MeeMaw story.  Here’s how hers went: “When I was asleep I heard MeeMaw rustling around, and I thought she was rustling with a cat.”  Hmm.  Rustling sounds like wrestling.  Not that big of a stretch.  And a cat.  Not a bad story element.  Somewhat believable, yet quirky enough to grab attention.  This kid has story-teller potential.  Watch out, Mom and Dad, when she gets old enough to need some alibis.  Hers could be monumental. 

Psalms 103:15-18 says, “As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.  But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children — with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.”

Father, thank you for the tiny spark of your creativity you placed within us.  It is one of the most exciting things ever to see developing in children.  Amen.