Your assignment today, should you choose to accept it, is to watch this tiny movie called "He was me," and ponder.
Artist and filmmaker Peter Reynolds is my new best friend. He doesn't know it yet, of course, but that has never stopped me before. If you haven't, read his books for kids, including Ish and Dot.
(Thanks to Lynne Herr for pointing me to this short movie.)
“Yay !” is what I said when he was still there when the bus pulled away !
And “Yay !” is what I say to that Her inside me more and more. Part of that is because of what I have learned from my new BFF, Patti Digh. She may not know it yet (then again, maybe she does…), but that isn’t going to stop me any more ! ;)
Rock Fairy hugs and sighs…
Embracing yourself at all inner ages is difficult in a world that sternly instructs us to “ACT YOUR AGE”.
I’m only beginning to realize that I need not feel guilty or silly or less than brilliant simply because I don’t prefer to act my age.
I wonder what happens if you never had a dream because you never expected to be alive to see it come to fruition? Survival, you understand.
I love this movie. Although I really wanted him to splash in the puddle as the bus pulled away. Baby steps I guess.
It made me sigh…it is when you forget to be serious that you the most happy (or something to that effect)…thanks for sharing.
Perhaps Mr. PEter H. Reynold is correct when he measures the adult life and breath and possibility and creativity when he equates it all with the personal distance to your own childhood–the closeness to “naive” wonder and inventiveness and observation. Sounds a-okay in my book. Mr. Reynolds has written a spectacular book in “Ish”–I’m trying to think of a bigger “aha” moment than the big one in that book, but I’m not coming up with one, or at least not with one that does it in a couple of hundred words. EVery kid should hear that story.
this is wonderful! part of the path i’ve been following for several years has been to remember who i really am. the me that i was before i grew up.
and thanks for the recommendation for the books- i am always on the lookout for something good for my grandchildren.
My sister and I were once lucky enough to teach together; we did a series of classes on Dot and Ish with our first graders – the stories and the activities opened their eyes to so much – acceptance, creativity, tolerance… sharing those books ended up being one of the best teachable moments I have ever had (for us and for the students).
Thank you for sharing this beautiful movie.
A thousand acres of YES to this beauty and Peter Reynolds’ vision and art. Goodness, lady. Your virtual friendship and inspiration has made my life better. And just watching this and being reminded of Peter’s self-made path and passion has cooled my nervous finger tapping post-grad fingers.
Spread the light. That’s all.
I dearly loved this little video….the scales of my life have become so unbalanced lately, and it reminds us all to nourish our “inner child,” and to allow them to come out and play!
In 2005, Patti Digh started her blog, 37days, following the death of her stepfather who died just 37 days after being diagnosed with cancer. Six books about living mindfully followed. And there’s more to come.
