Thursday, April 5, 2012

E is for Easter and Existence


Cogito ergo sum ("I think, therefore I am") - Rene Descartes.


What then do you call your soul? What idea have you of it? You cannot of yourselves, without revelation, admit the existence within you of anything but a power unknown to you of feeling and thinking.  -Voltaire
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As my family prepares to celebrate the Easter Holiday this weekend, it has really caused me to reflect on our earthy existence.  I have always considered myself to be some sort of sub-amateur, wannabe philosopher.  Where did we come from?  Why am I here?  What is the meaning of it all?   Over the years, I have thought long and hard about how to introduce the topics of life, death, and religion to my children.  It has always been my hope to share with my children what my views are, but to also encourage them to question and search for answers on their own – all while being supportive of where their views, if well thought out, ultimately diverge from my own. 

Whenever I ponder my existence, and envision my little boys someday possibly mulling over their own, I cannot help to stop and think of the Little Man, of Autism.  I cannot help but to wonder if he will ever be able to understand and appreciate topics such as life, death, and the existence of a higher power. Don’t get me wrong, he is 6 years old – soon to be 7—and I do not expect him to think over such topics in any detail any time soon.  But, it makes me feel empty to think that as a result of complex things going on in his body, beyond his control, he may never understand or appreciate what it means to be alive – or what it means to be not alive.

But, I guess this is all really a topic for another day, or maybe even another decade.  I have gotten this far with not worrying too much about the distant future and to try to focus on that which makes us all happy today.  

5 comments:

  1. Moving and thought-provoking post. I wish you the best as you move through the big issues together, however you are best able.

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    1. Thank you for the kind words, Jenny. One day at a time!

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  2. I have to admit, this brought a tear to my eye. Wishing you both all the best, and a Happy Easter. Enjoy the moment :)

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  3. "try to focus on that which makes us all happy today." Amen! To me, that's what's most important. And honestly, sometimes I wish I didn't understand death. But then, I have an anxiety disorder and my mind quickly spirals out of control and goes to some really dark scary places. Happy Easter!

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    1. I personally have been down that spiral. Now that I think of it -- maybe I don't want the kids thinking those thoughts :). I hope you had a Happy Easter!

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