“I don’t believe in bears.” With childhood full of imaginary characters and cartoons, this proclamation by my friend’s daughter caught me a bit off guard. Maybe I’m more prepared for the doubtful Santa believer or the explorer who unearths a stockpile of Easter candy. But as my friend told me how her daughter questioned the existence of bears, I was stumped on how to respond.
"Just take her to the zoo!" I thought. Not so easily done. I recalled my own experience at the zoo last year when the baby cubs were hiding in their den. Was this just a marketing ploy?
"Turn on Animal Planet!" I thought. No, I don’t think this would work. Just because something is on TV these days, doesn’t mean its real – thanks to special effects.
Was this five-year-old on to something?
Hmm. When was the last time I had seen a bear? I must have seen a bear at some point, but my memory was as fuzzy as bear fur. (Or was bear fur stiff and prickly?)
I realized all of the things I couldn’t remember or recall experiencing that are so prevalent in children’s books and/or on television. For example, I have never held a furry yellow chick in the palm of my hand. I have never heard an owl hoot at night. I have never seen kittens born or a baby lamb. I have never swum with the dolphins or sat in the cock pit of an airplane.
While it’s true that one relives childhood through the eyes of their children, there are so many new things that I am looking forward to experiencing with Alan and Roger. And while I may never get the chance to touch bear fur, I sure want to verify that they exist!
"Just take her to the zoo!" I thought. Not so easily done. I recalled my own experience at the zoo last year when the baby cubs were hiding in their den. Was this just a marketing ploy?
"Turn on Animal Planet!" I thought. No, I don’t think this would work. Just because something is on TV these days, doesn’t mean its real – thanks to special effects.
Was this five-year-old on to something?
Hmm. When was the last time I had seen a bear? I must have seen a bear at some point, but my memory was as fuzzy as bear fur. (Or was bear fur stiff and prickly?)
I realized all of the things I couldn’t remember or recall experiencing that are so prevalent in children’s books and/or on television. For example, I have never held a furry yellow chick in the palm of my hand. I have never heard an owl hoot at night. I have never seen kittens born or a baby lamb. I have never swum with the dolphins or sat in the cock pit of an airplane.
While it’s true that one relives childhood through the eyes of their children, there are so many new things that I am looking forward to experiencing with Alan and Roger. And while I may never get the chance to touch bear fur, I sure want to verify that they exist!
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