Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Wild and precious....


A one-way ticket to the grave. That's what we all have. I wrote about it at one of my unschooling lists and then the thought really settled in. Parents of younger children often worry about college, worry about what their children are learning, worry, worry. I understand those heartstrings being pulled so tight you want everything to be perfect for your child. I do.

But I no longer relate to the worry. I no longer understand why college matters so much to some people or judging someone on the kind of job they choose to hold. I don't care if my child makes good money or chooses to drive or not. We've got a one-way pass to the grave people. A pass that can be re-called at any time. In the words of Mary Oliver; "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

One wild and precious life. One planet filled with people who don't think like me, places I've never seen or imagined and enough mysteries to keep me enchanted for always. There are miseries we like to look away from, starving children and wars and genocide that render such a helpless feeling. Right here under my feet there is earth to till and above me stars to inspire awe. There are children who need parents and trees that need saving. There is more here than we can take in. And people are worried about college?

The product-driven society in which we live causes people to look for end results. One must graduate with good grades, get into a worthy college and then the carrots just keep being dangled from there. People are looking for measured "success", for those marks that mean you're better than someone else. It's all a big mess of competition with no real end in sight. But the end is there even though it's not about success or grades or that "good" job. The end is death.

Parents worry about college, they worry about grades, they worry about what they're child is learning...forgetting all the while that in the life they've spawned they've also spawned a death. The end result of your parenting is death. The end result of your child's ambitions, of your own is the grave. That's it.

The great part is that realizing this can be incredibly freeing. If death is the final result of all your efforts, of your child's efforts, then why not do the things you truly find exhilarating? Why waste your time worrying about things that don't matter in the bigger scheme? Why choose worry when your wild and precious life is being used up?

It isn't that college is a less worthy choice, it very well may be a choice that is best for someone. The point is that we choose what matters most and with such a wild and wonderful world available, every one of us should be choosing things that make us content, that make us feel whole and inspired. Every one of us should hold that pass to the grave in front of our hearts and minds as the impetus for no-fear. There is but one end result for all of us. But between the time you get handed that pass and the time it is re-called, there are many possibilities....many paths, many outcomes, many stories waiting for us to create them.

For parents, that in-between time can be spent building rich connections with the world around us. As our children travel with us, we can be inspired so they can see what inspired people act like. We can focus on respectful,healthy relationships and being curious about the very community in which we choose to live.

We can choose every single day to approach this gift with awe, to approach ourselves and our own lives with interest. Our children can see what passionate, interesting people look like. I want to fill up my days with good memories, great conversations, laughter, hand-holding, questions and cuddles. Not worry about some imagined future. There is no time for that. My pass might expire at any time and baby, I've got stories to create! How are you using your "one wild and precious life"?

14 comments:

Deanne said...

What a wonderful post, Ren! I hope you don't mind me sharing it on my blog. Not much activity there, but I want share your words and keep them close for the times I want to read them again. ;)

Ren Allen said...

Anything I choose to publish online is open to being quoted, shared, linked...as long as it's given proper credit of course. Which I don't worry about...lol

Heidi Snavley said...

I love this! You always have the beautiful words that express what's been swirling around in my mind as well. I want to share too:)

Mary Beth said...

This really rings true for me today after sitting with my dying father this weekend and sharing that process with my only brother.

Unknown said...

Really beautiful, Ren. I seem to be getting this sort of message repeatedly today from various sources, on what would have been my grandmother's 79th birthday. Off to hug my girls and do something wonderful with them.

Loni Edwards said...

Ren you are so inspirational! I just love this blog. I am glad one of the Shine Moms posted it on FB! I've been to your art site, but not this one. Well done!

ps pirro said...

Love this. So beautifully written and so full of truth. Thank you.

Lisa said...

Yes! I love how to the point this is.... Its beautiful.

Shan Jeniah Burton said...

Ren -

I have three amazing children. Jeremiah has been bring us joy for 8 years, 1 month, and 11 days. Annalise has delighted us for 5 years, 3 months, 5 days.

Elijah's pass expired after 12 days, none of them healthy or free of machinery, the vast majority in a coma, and almost every moment in the neonatal intensive care unit..

He is why we unschool, why we know we cannot and must not take for granted or waste the "wild and precious lives of our other children, or ourselves!

I don't think it can be said too much....one day, we will *all* die. What are we waiting for?

Shan Jeniah Burton said...

Ren -

I have three amazing children. Jeremiah has been bring us joy for 8 years, 1 month, and 11 days. Annalise has delighted us for 5 years, 3 months, 5 days.

Elijah's pass expired after 12 days, none of them healthy or free of machinery, the vast majority in a coma, and almost every moment in the neonatal intensive care unit..

He is why we unschool, why we know we cannot and must not take for granted or waste the "wild and precious lives of our other children, or ourselves!

I don't think it can be said too much....one day, we will *all* die. What are we waiting for?

Elisha said...

What a beautiful post. It brought tears to my eyes, partly because I just lost my mom, who was only 51.

Most people my age feel their lives will go on forever. The machine sucks people in young, long before they've seen any hint of their own mortality, before they realize life is short. No one at 24 thinks they will be dead at 51, or 40, or 25, but it happens all the time. I know people who are chasing carrots, figuring they'll start living after college, or after they get a GOOD job, or after the kids are grown.

It's sad that they don't stop to realize those things may never happen.

Gypsy Mama Manna said...

Ren, I just found your blog! I'm originally from Knoxville but we have been an unschooling family on the road for a little over a year now. I am in total agreement and immersion in your philosophy. Amen sister!

CJ-V65 said...

There's a wonderful song by the wonderful Harry Chapin, whose own pass was re-called way too early. The song is "Dreams Go By" and it perfectly matches your post.

Stephanie said...

Beautiful Ren, just beautiful!