Today

I had a tour at the museum this morning. Thirteen children, ages five to eight from a day care who got to come sit in our helicopter and one of the jets that the pilot opened up for them. They were bursting with energy and more eager to be noticed than to listen. It occurred to me that what children today want more than anything might be for someone to take a walk with them, one on one and just listen to them.

Of course most of us like it when we are paid attention to. No one wants to be the canary in the corner cage, admired when he sings, but basically a form of entertainment for his caretaker. Like a book, or a television program, or a bicycle, people tend to roll out their kids when they want to be entertained. Otherwise they are too busy to do more than the necessary chores with them. Feed them, bathe them, clothe them and put them to bed. It worked for Old Mother Hubbard and her brood in the shoe.

It will keep them alive, but it takes more than that for them to really thrive.

These kids will raise their hand for anything! They'd rather be wrong than not noticed. They'd rather be picked to do almost anything than ignored.

I wish I had had thirteen ears and hands!

Instead I am hoarse from trying to talk around them!

These kids had the best. Great, state of the art children's bus, matching shirts with their names on them, and a caretaker who looked like she was truly interested.