24 May 2006

The Blue & The Grey

So this past weekend's event went beautifully. All of my stress helped me to create a positively lovely reception (for a extremely grateful couple) that I can say with all sincerity, was picture perfect. There was more than enough food, which everyone enjoyed, there was entertainment (violin music and impromtu dancing), lots of conversation, lovely gifts...everything a good party should be. Don't get me wrong, I worked my butt off...but I think everyone was really happy, and I feel proud of myself to boot. It was also very enjoyable to spend two days living in the past, so to speak. I have to admit I am an anglophile, and know far more about European history than American history. I had never really held the Civil War in much regard, at least not beyond the abolishment of slavery (which really wasn't what it was all about anyhow). I thought of it as the dowdy version of the Victorians. Yet I really learned alot about life & history, about the battles, and the mindset. It's definately an era I would NEVER want to actually return to, yet there is something we should definately learn from the simplicity of the time. I saw children playing, using their imaginations, drawing from the history they had just learned. In a day of Nintendo and GameBoys, I think there is something profound to say about that. I had children awed by showing them a few stitches of embroidery. I had kids (and adults) giddy about learning croquet. Maybe if we simply made the time to do more with children, teach them about history or art or music or dance or anything that expands their creativity...and make it fun...then just maybe we can recapture some of that innocence of life again...in ourselves as well.

1 comment:

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