One of my clearest memories as a young boy was changing classes at the Methodist Sunday school. My dad loved golf and he was serious when he told my mother that during the summer, he and the boys would worship outdoors at the golf course on most warm Sundays. I love golf to this day-but the class changed every summer and generally in a new room. I dreaded the return as I always felt a bit lost and probably embarrassed. This past Tuesday was Hank’s first day in Kindergarten, he was leaving all but one friend behind and his favorite teachers. His mom did a good job of preparing him and assuring him it would be fine. I generally see Hank in the morning before he goes to school and I was surprised when he gritted his teeth and bravely asked, “Boompa, can you pick me up early from school—I think it is going to be a rough day.” So serious and grown up, he is one cool kid. I could never have been that honest and straight forward with an adult at 5 years old. I arrived early as requested to see how the day went and was not surprised to find Hank playing with new friends. Generally, he reports with enthusiasm that it was a great day, the first day only earned a “very good”. If I had been more attentive and in attendance at church, I would have been able to give Hank biblical advice, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself, each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
In 1865, the year our most revered President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was published. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, pen name—Lewis Carroll wrote this timeless children’s tale. The book takes us to a fantasy world populated by peculiar, anthropomorphic creatures. The tale manipulates logic, giving the story lasting popularity with adults and children. Carroll’s books and poems remain perhaps the best examples of the “literary non-sense genre.” As I thought about bad days, I focused on some quotes that seemed meaningful today. “Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” It is thought that Carroll was telling us that “imagination is essential.” Only through believing in the impossible can people innovate—so dream the impossible and achieve the unbelievable.” You do not have to find all of the likely deep meaning, the book can be enjoyed as a magnificent story. Some have suggested the book is about the challenge of growing up and knowing yourself, Alice constantly ponders the question, “who am I?”. As I hope we conclude, Alice discovers the madness of authority and the lack of logic in the world. In the end she realizes that the wayward characters in Wonderland, like the Queen of Hearts, are “nothing but a pack of cards.” Alice can wake up from her dream.
I hope we wake up from our current dream and follow the King’s advice. “Begin at the beginning and go till you come to the end: then stop.” “Contrariwise,” continued Tweedledee, “if it was so, it might be; and if it were so, it would be; but as it isn’t, it ain’t. That’s logic.”
A bit of logic would go a long way to solving our current political dilemma!
Enjoy the week end. Mike