I went to the Speed Museum today and saw the Medieval to Renaissance collection. It was pretty amazing. The best part was seeing one of Leonardo DaVinci's notebooks. There it was behind half an inch of Plexiglas. Hundreds of years ago a man wrote out his thoughts on physics, perspective and the world around him and still today he is considered one of the greatest minds of all time. It was surreal to say the least. To be that close to such a major part of not only art history, but world history.
I wonder if mine is the last generation to have any regard whatsoever for the past. I asked Hobbit if he'd ever heard of DaVinci and he said no, but when I showed him a photo of the Mona Lisa and the Vitruvian Man, he recognized the images. I explained that he was an artist, a scientist, and a thinker. Reminds me of Hobbit in fact. Hobbit wants to be a scientist and artist when he grows up, and he never stops thinking (or talking either for that matter).
What amazes me even more was that my art history professor says that he was never really impressed with DaVinci's artwork and that he didn't really do that much besides ol'Mona. So I googlie-googled and whatta ya know, he did quite a few amazing paintings. I personally am more impressed with his studies of anatomy and nature, but his paintings are beautiful.
3.20.2008
3.09.2008
What is contentment?
How do you know when you have hit a rut? Or if you're finally somewhat content with life? By definition it means: "enjoyment of whatever may be desired". But I'm not satisfied and I do want more, but I feel that I have found some balance and focus. I don't feel as edgy or stressed anymore. Maybe I have just finally started letting go of the little bullshit matters. Or maybe, this is the quiet before the storm and I'm about to hit a major life-shaking event. Either way I think I'll enjoy it as best as I can while it lasts.
2.21.2008
Brrrrrrrrr
So it's all of 20 degrees today. Chunks of ice falling from the sky and making my car look like glass. It's days like this that I wish I didn't have to leave the house. I just wanna climb into some warm jammies and drink hot cocoa and watch LOST. Oh hey, I can do exactlly that in about 2 hours! Yay!
2.11.2008
Explaining Death to Kids
Someone on a parenting forum posted that she'd had a death in the family and was asking for suggestions on explaining to her 5yo and it got me thinking about how well my 6yo dealth with his first encounter with the death of someone he knew.
A few months ago, my son's daycare "Nana" (daycare providers mother) was killed in a car accident. At first I was dreading explaining what happened and how I would answer his questions. But I realized that it was better that he face this with someone he knew but wasn't close to before someone close does pass.
I found out as much as I could about the accident details, it was all over the news so it wasn't difficult. I explained to him that the truck she was riding in was struck by another car and that Nana died of blunt force trauma.
Yeah I know, what does a 6yo know about blunt force trauma? Well this one happens to be a science nut and a CSI and Bones addict. Before anyone calls me out for letting him watch shows like those, I don't let him see the first five minutes which is generally the violent part. But he understood the manner in which she died, knew that it was quick and that she didn't suffer.
Anyway, explaining the facts to him and not talking to him like a child really helped. He was sad and he cried. But he understood what had happened. The hardest part was trying to remind him not to say anything to upset the other kids by asking questions to them, but to ask an adult instead.
At the visitation, he walked up to Angela (daycare provider) and said "I know what happened to Nana." Her eyes went wide knowing that my son has a talent for saying whatever is on his mind. But he went on to say "She hit her head really bad and died." Angela hugged him and said that yes, that was what happened. I think she was relieved to not have to explain to another child what happened.
My kids might have their issues, but it just amazes me sometimes how incredibly smart they are. My kids have always loved to learn and I sometimes take that for granted.
A few months ago, my son's daycare "Nana" (daycare providers mother) was killed in a car accident. At first I was dreading explaining what happened and how I would answer his questions. But I realized that it was better that he face this with someone he knew but wasn't close to before someone close does pass.
I found out as much as I could about the accident details, it was all over the news so it wasn't difficult. I explained to him that the truck she was riding in was struck by another car and that Nana died of blunt force trauma.
Yeah I know, what does a 6yo know about blunt force trauma? Well this one happens to be a science nut and a CSI and Bones addict. Before anyone calls me out for letting him watch shows like those, I don't let him see the first five minutes which is generally the violent part. But he understood the manner in which she died, knew that it was quick and that she didn't suffer.
Anyway, explaining the facts to him and not talking to him like a child really helped. He was sad and he cried. But he understood what had happened. The hardest part was trying to remind him not to say anything to upset the other kids by asking questions to them, but to ask an adult instead.
At the visitation, he walked up to Angela (daycare provider) and said "I know what happened to Nana." Her eyes went wide knowing that my son has a talent for saying whatever is on his mind. But he went on to say "She hit her head really bad and died." Angela hugged him and said that yes, that was what happened. I think she was relieved to not have to explain to another child what happened.
My kids might have their issues, but it just amazes me sometimes how incredibly smart they are. My kids have always loved to learn and I sometimes take that for granted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)