I thought I ‘d do something a little different today. Since I was in a creative mood I wrote a poem.
INSTEAD
Instead of waking up in a flurried frenzy of speed dressing, food gobbling and “Can you hurry, up please?”
we’re eating breakfast in our p.j.s, rubbing sleep from our eyes, and watching a video of dolphins on pbskids.org.
Instead of flinging ourselves frantically into the car, or watching for a yellow bus to round the corner
we’re packing lunches in the backpack, deciding whether we want to see the Egypt exhibit first or check out the awesome whale skeleton when we get to the Museum.
Instead of watching faces disappear behind doors,
we press our faces closer in laughter and whispered secrets.
Instead of shoving food down mouths in one last attempt to finish lunch before the bell rings
we’re watching the birds pick up bread crumbs off our picnic table in the woods.
Instead of sniffling, sneezing, and breathing in the germs of our too-close for comfort classmates
we’re running through the sun shined air with friends, or pushing through the leaves, or making snowballs sail through the air.
Instead of being told that our questions can wait, that we’re off task, or that we need to stay focused
we ask a hundred questions a minute, jumping from subject to subject, or lingering for hours on those bits of knowledge that fascinate us.
Instead of doing worksheets, reading textbooks, or completing projects we haven’t thought up ourselves when we get home
we play together as a family: taking bike rides, reading together, telling each other our dreams, and just being.
Instead of living out the same routines, schedules and purposes of others
We’re driven by our own curiosity, spontaneity, and desire to reach for more.
Instead of wearing the same things, learning the same things, and doing the same things as others our own age
we’re surrounded by many different generations, living and learning those things that fill our souls and lead us closer to who we were created to be.
Instead of preparing for the real world
we live in the real world every day.
Instead of allowing someone else to direct our time and attention for most of the day
we’re taking responsibility for those ourselves: dreaming, planning, imagining, inventing, and living.
Instead of waiting for the life we’ve always wanted, or until someone tells us we’re qualified enough or have passed enough tests
we’re free to live the lives we want to now.
Photo Credit: Seth Lemmons
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