October 2009
October – Harvest – Scarecrows – Autumn – another birthday – 21 again – no, let’s be realistic – 37 again (I wish!)
Life nowadays is lived at such a tearing pace. Was it always so? I suppose so but, as the years rattle on at an alarming rate, time seems to go faster and faster.
Watching Little Dragons week by week it is amazing to see how speedily changes occur and how quickly little legs lengthen and learn how to turn the pedals on the bicycles, how little fingers adapt and gain control of the glue sticks with tiny shapes and pictures becoming more manageable. The changes in the developing child from 0 to 5 are the most rapid yet never cease to fascinate an observer. Huge changes in a very short time!
Later in life, due perhaps to our own selective vision and one’s own current wish list, the changes slow down until, on reaching the years between 40 and 50, hardly any changes manifest themselves at all (except around the waistline); and between the ages of 50 and anything above, there are no noticeable changes at all to the personal eye - at least, none that one is likely to acknowledge. Who is it that takes photographs of us then edits those images into someone looking much older, weightier and perhaps a little well-worn? It is probably all down to the trickery of modern technology.
Today, during Circle Time, we enjoyed the story of The Little Red Hen. One little girl (3) who has been a member of Little Dragons since she was a small baby, opted to help the story along by holding up, unasked, the props necessary to the narrative – the dog, the duck and the cat, none of whom would help the Little Red Hen. Little Dragons, assisted by their Carers, woofed, quacked and meowed as required – probably all future stars of stage or screen. As always, when working with these little people, one is able to put away thoughts of increasing age, creaking knees and dodgy backs.
If, at times, life seems to be throwing difficulties in our path; if the dogs, ducks and cats in our own lives don’t or won’t seem to be helpful or kind, then, like the Little Red Hen, we can say, “Then I’ll do it myself!” and will probably be amazed as those who love us give their support of unconditional friendship and love. We are so fortunate but don’t always recognise this. Keep smiling!
Val Butterworth