I saw a sign outside a church today, which said "no single snowflake feels guilt over an avalanche".
I can't decide if it means that the world has gone to pot, and therefore none of us should feel guilty about our actions, and carry on as we are (which seems unlikely, given that it's a church after all, part of their role being to encourage us to better things) - or if it is sarcastic, and it is meant to make us think about how our actions impact others.
The second explanation seems more plausible, but then why is the church being snarky? Why not just go with "love one another" or something more straight forward? Feel free to let me know your take on it, as it's got me stumped!
W started pre-school today, which he is in raptures about. He has a new table, with 2 of the same people from last term, and 4 different. He was a bit sad because he wanted to sit next to Harry, but it didn't happen. Oh the hard knocks of life, they do start early. He's getting very excited about Christmas, seeing all the decorations in the shops...It's hard to explain that the stores are getting ready a touch early, and that it's still 2 or so months to go!
He's still got tonsil issues, we were at the doc today, and back again on Friday...After 3 rounds of anti-biotics! If it's not fixed on Friday, I am contemplating taking them out myself!
I was talking to my good pal Jo the other night (HI!) and we were talking about how much cooler things, specifically fetes, seemed when you were a kid. This led on to a discussion about seeing the world in a childlike way, and I remembered an article I'd read and saved...It really captures the feeling of seeing things through their eyes, so I thought I'd share it here- enjoy! (the part in blue makes me cry!)
Fire Truck! Fire Truck! Fire Truck!
By Edwin Brauer October 26, 2005 Issue 41Â?43
Look, out the window! A fire truck!
I've seen drawings of fire trucks in my picture books, of course, but how could I have ever known how pale and insignificant those crude representations were in comparison to the real thing!
Fire truck! Oh, great God in heaven, fire truck!
This has got to be the most moving of mankind's creations, and perhaps of nature's, as well. This whirlwind of sensory input is almost more than my tiny mind can process!
Mere words cannot begin to convey what I am feeling! This incredible, life-changing, soul-shattering wonder is... Why, it is beyond description! Run! Run to the window as fast as your giant legs can carry you!
Whatever you are doing right now, place it aside for a momentÂ?it can't possibly be as important as the opportunity to see a fire truck with your own eyes. This is quite possibly the greatest experience of my life thus far.
How do I even begin to describe its magnificence? First off, it is bigÂ?bigger than anything I could ever imagine! Secondly, it's painted an incredible, alarming, eye-catching red! Thirdly, it makes the most attention-grabbing sounds: whistles, bangs, gearshifts, bells. And that siren! Of all the noises, the siren is surely the best! I wonder if, somehowÂ?but no, surely notÂ?unless...
Well, could I? Could I possibly? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... No, that's not right: It's high-pitched enough, but missing some crucial... OOOOOOOOOO... No, again, it's got the booming quality, but lacks the screechingly irritating aspect of the higher register.
Wait! What if I combine the two, in an alternating series of high- and low-frequency modulations, and belt it out at the top of my lungs? EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-OOOOOOOOO,EEEEEEEEEEEEE-OOOOOOOOO! That's it! That's the same noise that the fire truck is making! EEEEEEEEEEEEE-OOOOOOOOOOOO, EEEEEEEEEEEEEE-OOOOOOOO! EEEEEEEEEEEE-OOOOOOOOOOOOO, EEEEEEEEE-OOOOOOOO!
Oh, God. I could make this noise all day! I never want to do anything else! And nowÂ?am I really seeing this? It can't be! Surely there are not colorfully dressed men with powerful bodies, brave expressions, and purposeful toolbelts hanging off the side of the fire truck as it careens around the corner! If this is a dream, let me never wake.
Look at their hats! They have the most wonderful hats ever made! I must acquire a child-sized version of such a hat! They are the most large and most yellow hats I have ever seen. That's it: My fate in this life is sealed. I must become one of these men.
Nothing will ever sway me from this goal. But what a spectacle it is! You must come and look upon this immediately! This fire truck is blowing my mind. It is as if God Himself has created this piece of machinery just for me!
But it will not be here long. It is driving away. It grows quieter and quieter as it recedes from my visual field and... It is gone. It was only here for one fleeting moment, and you never even saw it. This is the greatest tragedy that has ever occurred. My faith in the universe is shaken to its core by the magnitude of what you have missed. If only you had listened to me. You may never be able to comprehend my experience, for I have seen the fire truck, and I will never think about anything else again as long as I live.
Huh? What is... Why... Afgh! Airplane! Airplane! Mommy! Airplane! Don't bother with those towels! Don't you see? Look! There is an actual airplane in the sky!
2 comments:
Wow, that's a pretty deep thing to read for monday morning, but here goes my thoughts.
First of all, let me say I don't really get it either, and that I think if churches are going to put things on signs for all to see, they had better be understandable and accessible to all.
My basis for these interpretations is that I expect they were going for an uplifting, good message. Anyways, my question for the analogy is whether the avalanche is supposed to represent something positive or negative.
If negative, then I'd say that it means no one is specifically to blame for the state of the world, but we are part of it nonetheless, so we all have a role and responsibility of improving it. In other words, we should feel guilt over the avalanche.
If the avalanche represents something positive, then it could mean that we need other people around us to make things happen and that we are much more effective if we band together in unity. This interpretation is a bit of a stretch, so my guess is it's the first one.
But that's just my humble opinion.
Hey chickie
I got a mention in your blog! Wohooo!!
Also, I think the church was purposely putting an abstract quote to get you thinking. Churches do that. They know you have heard the "love one another" before so many times (and struggle to do it) so they come at it from another angle. (I know these things. I work for a church!!)
And that story about the kid and the fire engine is so cute! Very touching. Nearly made me cry (but we know I don't cry. I'll probably need to have a baby for that!)
adios amigo!
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