When I taught 3rd grade I used to read to them daily from one of Shel Silverstein’s books. I love his work and have his books in our library. Look at this one from A Light in the Attic (Shel Silverstein)
Put Something In
Draw a crazy picture
Write a nutty poem
Sing a mumble – gumble song
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony – goony dance
‘Cross the kitchen floor
Put something silly in the world
That ain’t been there before!
I’ve never considered myself a silly person – my parents were not silly. I didn’t see a lot of la – di – da behaviors growing up. But I’m getting better as I age. I am allowing myself to laugh more and feel joy. Even in a hurting world where things happen that bring no joy it is important to find it. Those moments of love and wonder and delight might be the only thing we have at the end of a day.
So, as of today, I’ve done 3 of those things in that poem… working on the rest. How about you?
~Lydia Patrick
Who would know that S Silverstein would have written something so silly that would endure the test of time and generations. It can be a simple and curious poem for a 7 year old and at the same time be a head’s up for us all who are taking aging a bit too seriously.
I’ll find my silly moment today, and end the day with delight.