Deep Dark Fears of Childhood
Our family uses a conversation starter game called Table Topics. Each night as we eat dinner we pull a card from the box and answer the question. It’s a great way to get the kids talking, and occasionally shock my husband. The other night the question seemed superficial enough: What fear would you like to overcome?
I was trying decide between my fear of spiders versus my fear of noises in the night when my husband is out of town. My son volunteered to go first.
“Okay, what fear would you like to overcome?”
“I’d have to say the feeling of being a speck of dust in the universe, and that life is completely meaningless.”
Wow. The kid was so matter of fact about it. My husband and I shared a look across the table. And we laughed.
“But your life means something,” I said when I composed myself. “It means something to all the people you come in contact with.”
The Boy shook his head. “Yeah, but their lives are meaningless too.”
Duh.
by Lela Davidson on April 23, 2010
in motherhood, Rugrats, Tweens, & Other Offspring
Perhaps you should keep the “Table Topics” away from the “gifted” child…
No, his life isn’t meaningless at all – it provides endless fodder for his mom’s blog, which reaches millions of people. Then, we all get to reflect on our lives and wish they were as humorous as his!!!
No son, it may feel that way but you just have not met your ‘meaning’ yet, but don’t fear. That’s the actual job of the universe. Be patient. Me, I fear elevators that stop mid-floor.
How depressing! But funny!
When people find that your life has meaning, they come for you. Encourage your son to stay meaningless for as long as he can.
Who knew my readers were so philosophical? The millions of them…. You are all really the best, you know that, right? Thank you for reading, for humoring me, for being easily entertained. God knows I am.