Little Man was a little groggy getting up this morning, so I gave him an extra half hour. Wouldn’t have known it by the “grump-bump” look I got as he headed into the shower. Ten minutes later, however, he bounced into the kitchen, book in hand, looking for breakfast…
Had to cut his reading a little short today, since we had a commitment. See, a couple of weeks ago I suggested that we volunteer at some local charity or organization, and Little Man was all for it. I asked him for ideas, but all of his notions were really out of our league, not to mention our pocketbook. No, I explained, charity “starts at home,” so let’s find something we can help out with right here in our community. I already knew about an organization, “Helping Hands,” right here in our little city. They primarily give elderly folks rides to doctors’ appointments, grocery stores, etc… though they also try to help people who are sick or disabled with little chores like meals or getting out the trash. I tracked down the coordinator, Ms. Betty, a spry octogenarian just bursting with energy and enthusiasm. She eagerly took our contact information and put us on the list. Our first call came last Friday asking if we were available to give a ride to another elderly lady just around the corner on Monday. No problem…
We picked up Mrs. M from in front of her daughter’s garage at 10:30 this morning. I talked to her yesterday to confirm everything, but I saved her British accent as a surprise for Little Man. He had already told me what a good idea he thought volunteering for Helping Hands was. When I asked him why, he replied, “Well, we’ll be helping out people and we’ll also get to meet new people and get to know them.” I could see his anticipation and eagerness to help almost bursting out as we got closer to her house. I explained to him on the way that Mrs. M had had her shoulder recently replaced after some accident I was not privy to. I surmised it was probably form a fall, since that is quite common for elderly people. Little Man was a little impatient with me as I reminded him to stay close by Mrs. M in case she needed help, and to hold the door for her. “I know, dad. You forget, I’ve done this before for grandmother.” I smiled as we pulled up alongside the drive.
Little Man was first out and I introduced him and myself. As we started on our way, we started making small talk and learned she is from Nottingham, England. Oh, yes, that’s in northern England, isn’t it? “Yes,” she replied, turning slightly to my son in the backseat, “Have you heard of Robin Hood, young man?” “Yes, ma’am. I read his book!” I asked if she had ever been to Sherwood Forest, and Little Man promptly corrected me, “You mean in Sherwood Forest, dad…” “Reads a lot, does he?” asked Mrs. M. We all laughed and before we knew it were pulling up to the physical therapy centre. We took our time helping her inside agreeing to pick her up in an hour.
We took off for the library just around the corner. Little Man turned in his books on invertebrates and jellyfish in favor of four books today on the brain and nervous system. Ever since “A Fantastic Voyage” last week, he’s wanting to get deeper into the human body. He decided to start with the brain and move on to other organs. That decision was made by him, but only after I pointed something out. Originally, he had the idea of starting at his toes and moving up to the top of his head. I said sure, no problem, and pointed out that moving in that direction the first organs he’d come across would be his reproductive ones. I was actually anticipating our first in depth “birds and the bees” talk, thinking that would inevitably lead there, but he quickly changed his mind and informed his mother and me that he’d rather start with the brain first. “Whatever you want,” I replied.
So, reading over his library selections waiting for Mrs. M, Little man asked a very profound question. “Dad, does the brain have a brain?” “What do you mean? I’m not sure I understand your question.” “Well, if your brain controls everything and tells your body what to do, what tells your brain what to do?” “You mean, what like when you forget to breathe or have to fart or something?” “No, dad!! That stuff is automatic, I mean like when I open the door or something I do on purpose.” “You mean you don’t fart on purpose?” “Dad!!!” “I know what you mean, I’m just kidding. I guess you’re asking about the mind, son. I think it’s your mind that tells your brain what to do. Like when you decide to read or go outside, it’s your mind that tells your brain what you want your body to do, and then the brain controls how you move and go about doing it at your mind’s discretion..the way you decide how to do it.”
This exchange led to a brief explanation and engaging converstation of the “mind-body problem,” something I’ve read a little on and find fascinating. I’m no expert on this or many other complex issues, but I’ve never shied from giving my son complex answers, even when I know some or even most of the information is over his head. I seems so often his questions are truly complicated, and I’d feel like I cheated him trying to give a “simple” answer everytime. I try to give him a simple synopsis beginning and ending a brief explanation, after we both agree on the question being posed, but I refuse to “dumb anything down” for him, question or answer. This particular conversation opened the door to a discussion of “concrete” (body) and “abstract” (mind) concepts, and this was particularly relevant to his question. He found it quite engrossing, and I could see the wheels turning as we talked.
Dont’ you just love that ”far-away, thinking” look as they truly ponder something, something truly worth pondering? I know I do…
Filed under: Daily Learning Log
