Unaware

One of the irresistible things about babies is their wide eyed curiosity and unmitigated joy for figuring out even the most mundane things.  They are made to learn and love it!

Little creatures who nose into everything, unaware that they are making messes and faux pas and lots of mistakes; they are natural scientists and artists, engineers and musicians -- unaware of their limitations.  They are also uncivilized little people who need to be taught how to thrive amongst other people.

It tugs at my heart when I see these miraculous little beings eroded by poor parenting, misinformed love, or plain old poverty.

They are little more than babies when they are sent out into the world, shaved, painted, and puffed up with misconceptions that they need to "do" or "be" something more than what they are.  Beaten down by poor diets, lack of sleep, and inappropriate clothing they begin life dragging their parents behind them.

Good teachers are people who see through all this to the child within, but often it is not enough.  By six children have already begun a trial by fire that sets the course for the rest of their lives; unaware that it could have been different.