Life’s Windows
- 06
- 20
- 11
“Better keep yourself clean and bright. You are the window through which you must see the world.”
George Bernard Shaw
Yes and no.
Yes, we are the windows through which we glimpse existence. We must keep ourselves clean and clear, buffed and bright, so that we can see, and celebrate.
But aren’t our children our windows, too? Don’t we see through them, and with them? Don’t they give us a second – and infinite – chance to view the colors and creatures of our cosmos? Through their eyes and their minds, things are new again. The world is once more a rainbow wonderland, full of endless objects and boundless beauty. We must take care of them, our little windows, for they too are delicate. We must do what we can to keep them clean and bright and open to life’s light.
Isn’t this what parenting is after all? Teaching them how to become their own windows, how to see, how not to break?
________________________________
Do you think we are the windows through which we see the world? Do you think this metaphor is compelling? Do you think children allow us to relive and re-imagine?
I’ve been reading A Ring of Endless Light (Madeleine L’Engle) for the first time, and I am so struck with how she talks about light and darkness – about how we are either carriers for the light within us, or we choose to dwell in darkness. It’s really a beautiful and poignant way of looking at things, especially when she shows how sometimes the darkness of the world outside overwhelms us, and we need to find ways to renew the light. Your words here this morning reminded me of that – because our children do reflect light, to the world and to us, and if we choose to see the beauty in them, it helps us become better light-bearers, too.
I love this analogy, and Louise’s comment too. I’d add that I think part of the task is to teach our children that some darkness is part of the deal, and not to be afraid of it. Comfort with both the light and the dark that life sends through our windows is essential, I believe, to a happy and thoughtful life. xox
Ooh I love this, too! Definitely my toddler child has given me this…a clear bright window where I can see so clearly what I missed for years due to the scratches & dust that life has added to my own windows. The key is to remember to raise the blinds and look out at the world!
Ah yes, but if that window is clean and bright, are you not also providing an avenue for the world to see you? And maybe some of us are not comfortable with that?