The trip to....
I headed out of the city today with my friend, Lawrence. We headed up to his Aunt's house in Connecticut. I always find it so enjoyable to get out of the city. It's especially nice to spend time with people who are easy-going and like a good laugh.
Lawrence and his family are Italians. Some are first generation. They often seem to have a real enjoyment for wine, a good story and laughter.
One theme we spent talking about are cars. We talked about the crappy cars we owned and how they would put us interesting situations because they would break down easily or give us grief in some other way.
Cousin Bob talked about his old VW Beetle and how the windshield cracked with just a light tap to it when he tried to get the windshield wipers to break the seal. I talked about my old Volvo with the tempermental fuel pump and the alternator that would stop working whenever it would start raining.
Are kids missing out on some great adventures in life if their cars always start? And, if there is a problem, now they often have cell phones to call in for help. While it certainly makes the parent's life easier and removes worry, does it make the child's life so safe and clean that they miss out on opportunities for problem-solving that now they won't develop until much later?
When I read David Sedaris' books, I realize that part of the fun of reading him is that his life was my life, too. How much do kids growing up today miss out on those strange, odd situations and family dynamics that instead they have no oddities to share around a campfire?
Lawrence and his family are Italians. Some are first generation. They often seem to have a real enjoyment for wine, a good story and laughter.
One theme we spent talking about are cars. We talked about the crappy cars we owned and how they would put us interesting situations because they would break down easily or give us grief in some other way.
Cousin Bob talked about his old VW Beetle and how the windshield cracked with just a light tap to it when he tried to get the windshield wipers to break the seal. I talked about my old Volvo with the tempermental fuel pump and the alternator that would stop working whenever it would start raining.
Are kids missing out on some great adventures in life if their cars always start? And, if there is a problem, now they often have cell phones to call in for help. While it certainly makes the parent's life easier and removes worry, does it make the child's life so safe and clean that they miss out on opportunities for problem-solving that now they won't develop until much later?
When I read David Sedaris' books, I realize that part of the fun of reading him is that his life was my life, too. How much do kids growing up today miss out on those strange, odd situations and family dynamics that instead they have no oddities to share around a campfire?
posted by Thomas at 8:17 PM
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