One evening when I was reading and ignoring everyone, Sally asked me, “Are books your favorite thing in the whole world?” Of course, I put my book down and said, “No, you and your sisters and Daddy are my favorite thing in the world.” But books are a close second. I like music and movies too. But books are what I take into the bathroom with me (if I could only figure out how to take them in the shower) and what I read when I’m stopped at a long stoplight. (If only I could restrict myself to informative or literary stuff).
A discerning friend (Angela?) sent me an intriguing article from The Washington Post Magazine about a sociology experiment conducted by the journalist Gene Weingarten (who I gather often includes poop jokes in his writing; this was an exception). The experiment was to see what would happen if a genius musician (Joshua Bell, violinist) performed in a busy public space. What happened is fascinating, and the ensuing discussion even more so.
Are we too busy/philistine/android/insensitive to hear (much less appreciate or enjoy) good music? I encourage you to read the article and discussion; Mr. Weingarten has a great writing style and his responses to reader’s responses are really in tune. You can also watch clips of the experiment, as the whole thing was recorded.
What struck me, as a mother, was the analysis of how children and their parents responded to the music. Apparently, each child stopped and tried to find the source of the music, and each mother (or father, mostly mothers) impatiently pulled on the child’s hand and insisted that they hurry on past. There are any number of good reasons for this. Perhaps the kid was late for school (I can relate to that; Sally is late more often than not), or late for an urgent doctor’s appointment.
Or maybe the mother, was, like me, a little wary in public spaces and not wanting her child to be staring at strangers. Especially since this happened in a plaza opening off a Metro Station in DC, although the Metro is a little less (intimidating/scary?) than the subway in NYC (I used to be very alert to strangers when taking Sally as a baby on the subway).
But, regardless of the good reasons for ignoring beauty, it seems that children have a little more curiosity at least and ability to enjoy and revel in at most. I knew that. I just didn’t know, or reflect on the fact that, as a mother, doing my mother job, I am often in danger of curtailing that interest or enjoyment. I don’t want that.
Each night Sally (who is reading the level 1 readers pretty well) lays on her bed with a book open, something she has done since she was about two and imitating mom and dad. At least I’m doing something right…
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