I teach piano and voice to several boys who are on
the autism spectrum. At Halloween they all
noticed the mat that said “wipe your witchy feet” and took it literally. Their way of telling it like it is thrills
me, especially since my mother’s side has a bunch of men on the autism
spectrum. But last week I had my most
favorite moment with a 6 year old.
“WHAT are all those LINES on your face?” he asked, with his face about 5 inches from
mine.
I took out my lipstick mirror and looked. Maybe I had some chocolate smeared on my face
from lunch. I saw my same face, nothing
tricky. I tried to see it from his
perspective.
“Oh, you mean those lines down the side of my
mouth?”
“YES,” he hollered, all concerned.
“It’s lines from old age. You will get them too when you get old.” He
turned happily back to his music.
Unlike a lot of women, I am not bothered by the
lines on my face. Before I had them, I
did not have the wisdom I have today. The
young me spoke too rashly and got angry too often. The old me can help people with their
decisions and angst and know that I will not steer them wrong.
Out of the mouth of babes is a fabulous saying. Here are two more.
Growing old is mandatory; growing up is
optional. Chili Davis
Do not regret
growing older. It is a privilege denied to many. Anonymous
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