Substance of Humanity

Two years ago I wrote, “Childhood is the pinnacle of humanity.” It was a statement written in excitement, built for impact, and succinct to fit right into people’s hearts. However, for all its brevity and succinctness it is no simple statement. It is a statement open to interpretation, and so interpret I will.

The common reading of such a line might look like this: “Childhood, the season of life when we are young, is the highpoint, the best times of human living.” Interpreted as such it would be a statement describing nicely the common social perception of life and childhood. How often might one hear an adult tell a child to, “enjoy while you still can.” There is a prevailing sense of inevitability when it comes to leaving behind the happy, care-free days of childhood. This is not an interpretation I would intend. In fact, it is the very social norm I would seek to reform.

Another potential reading could be as follows: “Childhood, to be like a child, is the goal of all life. We must strive to resist growing up and the evils of adulthood.” This reading, though perhaps closer to my sentiments, is too simplistic. Certainly a world filled with people no more mature than 5-year olds would not be ideal. Given, it would probably also not be a world with nuclear weapons, or murder, but it would be one of absolute chaos. Humans must grow up.

Perhaps then the original statement must be modified to suit my needs in order to read, “Childhood is the substance of humanity.”

Childhood, though certainly a stage of life, must also be understood as a quality of life, and the core quality with which we human beings are created.

This childhood is characterized by hope, wonder, dreams, freedom, and an ability to have fun.

It is a raw humanity, but a good one; an unlettered humanity, but a complete one.

This is my worldview, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” It is this perspective which has made it one of my primary life missions to help children, “Grow up, without Growing Out,” and to help adults be grown up, but not “grown outs.”

Children have no hope maintaining their childhood into adulthood unless the adults in their lives resist the pulls of popular adulthood, and insist on being grown ups with dreams, with hope, with wonder; adults who can play and are free to be themselves.

As a father, educator, husband, friend, and son this is my mission. I must be an adult. The responsibilities of the next generations depend upon it, but their health and mine depend equally as much on my rediscovering and fully living the childhood which is the quality and substance of humanity. I cannot be a “grown out!” The substance of childhood which my children live, and which I am ever remembering, and re-experiencing is simply too important.