»
Main Forums
»
Passions in Prose
»
The Dictionary of Childhood
| Passions in Prose |
|
The Dictionary of Childhood |
|
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States 
|
The Dictionary of Childhood By Larry Chadwick Words are defined by the dictionary. But life gives them meaning. And meaning starts before you can even read. Take for example the word parent and the sub-words dad and mom. We know that mom means the world revolves around us and dad means that it does not. Only, of course, because he works outside of the home and she is always there. (At least when I grew up.) All of which brings us to the sub-words that give further clarification. For example: dad gives meaning to the word hero; and mom gives meaning to the word omnipresent. My dad could hit the baseball from one end of the playground to the other. Wow! My mom knew I had taken three cents from her purse when she was not even there. Wow! Why would I need a dictionary with understanding like this? If life offers any clues it would be that definitions and meanings are not static. Not that I wanted to outgrow my childhood but adulthood was beckoning. So in my adolescence I answered the call. It was then I found that I knew so much more than my mom or dad. And that is when reality began to intrude on my childhood meanings of mom and dad. Finally I recognized it was not me that was egocentric but rather dad. After all, he only cared about his job. And mom just did not have a clue about where I was or what I was doing. So much for being omnipresent. But what is more legitimate then experiencing definitions and meanings first hand? I rushed right into parenthood while I still knew everything. Nothing is better than first hand experience. It felt so good to finally be a hero and to be married to an omnipresent woman. After having conquered the task of becoming a dad, doing it again was certain to just be repetition. However, nothing tops experience like additional experience. And expected repetition was not repetition at all. With two children of my own I was still the hero dad and my wife still the omniscient mom. It is odd you cannot see life cycles repeating themselves in advance. The repetition of history itself should make that apparent. But it seems heroes are not that perceptive. All too soon my children figured out that mom and dad were not really defined quite as we had presented ourselves and we could do little to change their minds. Answering too quickly their own call to adulthood altering meanings based on their own experiences. So now I long for that cycle to continue. You know, the one where your dad becomes a hero again in his old age and your mom was omnipresent after all. She always knows. And she is always there. I love it when history repeats itself. Now I am waiting for my turn. March 3, 2002 Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself. Leo Tolstoy [This message has been edited by Larry C (03-05-2002 10:05 AM).] |
||
| © Copyright 2002 Larry Chadwick - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Shoot! You mean this has NOT YET BEEN SUBMITTED to all of the parent magazines out there!!! I love it! What a wonderful turn of insight...I mean it's always been there, but it took you to put it down! Bravo Larry! Now, SUBMIT THIS PIECE...or the omnipresent SUN will have something to say to you! |
||
Greeneyes 
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903In Your Poetic Mind |
Larry~ This seems to suit you well, I have never been able to do this...Bravo my friend....  I agree with sunshine, have it submitted somewhere... Lauren~ Greeneyes~ |
||
|
amusemi Senior Member
since 2001-12-08
Posts 1262A State of Disarray |
I agree!! |
||
|
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
SUN! nnnnnoooo...sorry. ROTFL You're the best. You think, huh? Now I have to get off the duff and figure that out I guess.  Lauren, Wow...look at this encouragement! Now how do I go about that. Thank you so much for being you. amusemi, So far it's a majority. LOL HEY thanks! |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
This had the touch and feel of a Dave Barry write...all of the right zings in all the right places...I really do hope you take it and entertain people with it...it is a Keeper! |
||
|
Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
Words are defined by the dictionary. But life gives them meaning. And meaning starts before you can even read. ========================================= Larry I just love that opening statement... I cant say enough how very cool that whole premise is. It was the perfect hook to entice the reader in and to set the pace for this charming piece of work. Your witty sense of humor wraps around your wisdom shared and made for a delightful read. I particularly enjoyed the edge of playful sarcasm and being able to laugh at yourself. I've always thought that was important for us to be able to grow and learn from life's lessons. Very enjoyable read...I'm glad to see you posting here again. Add my submit vote to the ballot  |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
See? |
||
|
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Sunshine, SO how much does all this promotion that I am getting from your awesome posts cost?! You have no idea how much your encouragement means to me. Mostly becaue I am at a loss to express my heartfelt gratitude. I took Freshman English six times before I passed. Writing always intimidated me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful words. JM, To a woman whose life experience gives wonderful credibility. How I admire you. How delightful your encouragement is to me. Thank you ever so much. Sunshine, Here comes the SUN! |
||
|
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
No payback required...just publish this and tell me, and I'll spread the good word! Now! |
||
|
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Sun, I fine tuned this a little and will post the new copy. Replaced some of the duplicate phrases etc.. Now I just have to research publication as I don't have a clue! |
||
|
cpalmer Senior Member
since 2001-06-26
Posts 977Phoenix, Az |
I'm just trying to get through the first cycle...parenthood. I'm looking forward to that day when my parents can be the hero and omnipresent again too! I don't look forward tot the time when my kids see me in a different light! ugh Love ya Cindi God is our inspiration; Words of the heart can be music to our ears |
||
|
SPIRIT Senior Member
since 2002-12-29
Posts 1745California Desert |
How lovely that this post was pulled onwards and upwards. You do write so very well. Funny isn't it that the things we did not excel in at school turn out to be the thing we do excel at. I failed math at school, I was consistent never had a passing grade yet have spent nearly 50 years in book-keeping and auditing and excelling. Love your writing, really I do. I be me BUT who does me be? |
||
|
Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
Cindi, Yup, you are a heroine and always will be. At least to me!  SPIRIT, You just inspired another prose. Thanks! And for such kind words, bless you.  If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
