ANXIOUS

I’m packing boxes of treasures and routine comforts. Our beds and books are gone. Soon we’ll be stuffing our bathroom and kitchen belongings in more containers. The sound of the ripping tape is getting on my nerves. How long will it be before we connect with our attachments again? Maybe two weeks? Exciting? An adventure? At this stage, it feels like an approaching tornado.

Maria Montessori tells a story of a young mother concerned for her crying child who, for apparently no reason, could not be consoled. She explains how young children have a sensitive time when they need their environment to have consistency. The child cried because the mother had disturbed the order of his surroundings by putting her coat in a different place than usual. This sensitive period for order usually happens around the age of two.

I’m feeling like a two-year old. Maybe it will help if I cry.

Please read my book, Montessori—Living the Good Life. I’m blogging on my website: www.montessoritheory.com

CHANGE

CHANGE

I’m moving.This weekend we had a moving sale, or garage sale as is often called. The difference is that with a moving sale more pieces of history are released into the hands of others looking for treasures.

For several weeks I have been cleaning out closets, dark deep holes of space behind more spaces of unused, of once long ago meaningful belongings, taking hours and hours of sorting and discerning—what to keep and what to let ago, reminiscing over each picture, each prize and its day of glory. Emotionally, it was exhausting. I’m thankful for the experiences of joyfulness, yet very happy the days are done with. I’m happy to move on and especially thankful for the friends and family who were there for me.

The experience was transforming. Letting go of my gems meant a letting go of a pastime, a piece of life given away, maybe to be forgotten forever; a time for tears and a bit of sadness. Nevertheless, as the days passed I grew accustomed to the process and began to think about how another will appreciate the goods for less than retail prices. I began to look forward to the sale and feel joy in the giving. A change was happening. I became excited waiting for the days of the sale.

When I experience myself going through changes like this, I can’t help but to relate the time to the development of the young child. Thinking about the young child is a continuing pastime and passion for me.

The conceived infant is on a pathway of constant change, continually letting go of his history, of his flesh as he changes and develops daily, minute by minute into a new being reaching out toward the goal of someday being an adult. How desperately the growing child, the young teenager, must need a friend who is there for them.

Please read my book, Montessori—Living the Good Life. I’m blogging on my website: www.montessoritheory.com