So, we went to DC a few weeks ago. Its
been crazy since getting back, so I'm calling Wordsworth's “emotion
collected in tranquility” to write this and thereby justify the
delay. Also, name update, I have tired of using a numbering system,
so Son #1 is now Chaos, and Son #2 is Havoc. Yes, those names fit
them.
As with any trip to DC, the “what to see?” question weighs heavily. Our trip included the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, The National Zoo, The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, The Mall including walking by the Washington Monument, through the WWII Monument, by the Reflecting Pool, viewing the Lincoln Memorial, passing along the Vietnam Memorial Wall, and then to the North Lawn of the White House. Along the way there was also a tent museum of classic cars from “failed” brands. All that in three days. Whirlwind seems the best word.
Now, the moment to talk about. How do you explain to a 4 year old all that he just experienced (especially when he seems most excited about his most recently mashed penny)? You cannot. So, you have to have a moment where he gets it, where he sees how important you see it, where he sees your passion. Chaos and I shared that at the WWII Memorial. I have wanted to go to this since it opened. I have a long history in my own life of appreciation for that war. I grew up going to WWII themed air shows, seeing those who knew the history best slowly die out, knowing some of what my grandfather went through in his service for that war, and hoping that somehow we could preserve as much of the truth as possible. So, as I knelt by the stone etched with “NORMANDY”, thankful for the sunglasses hiding my ever-moistening eyes, I called him over to me. He knew I was having some issues, and so he went from 1000 mph to right there with me in the moment. I told him about his great-grandfather, as abbreviated as possible. The Big Red One, North Africa, Sicily, and then back to Normandy. Then, as we stood and walked toward the back of the Memorial, we saw an Honor Flight. I knew Chaos had to at least thank one of them. We walked to one in a wheel chair, and he seemed to struggle with it as much as I did. Where I really struggled was the Veteran with the hat that said, “World War II, Korea, Vietnam”. When Chaos thanked him, this Veteran, this Man, this Hero for serving for three conflicts, said, “You're welcome for whatever, I'm sure”. This man's daughter saw and got a picture, and then as we walked away I saw something that surprised me. It was a group of teenagers sight seeing, but who made sure to shake hands and thank these men.
Will Chaos remember those moments. I don't know, but I can hope. I had another moment that he didn't hear, when a woman at the point of the Vietnam Memorial was leafing through one of the books of where the names are and I overheard her say, “I had a crush on him in high school”. That struck me in a way I cannot completely explain, mostly because of its unexpected nature.
And so, surprised more than once, I hope that he begins to see it. I hope he begins to feel the history, feel the connection with these people past. He's 4, the age I went to my first air show in Hamilton, Ontario. Their Lancaster had not been completed, but I remember walking by it in buffed steel, and wondering at its size. I did not understand its historic place then, but I do now (If you're unaware, for starters, look up a movie entitled “The Dam Busters”, and go from there). I hope I'm starting him so that he has the grounding he needs so that he can be surprised, and celebrate the surprise of other of other people's experiences that coalesce into these United States in her best lights.
As with any trip to DC, the “what to see?” question weighs heavily. Our trip included the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, The National Zoo, The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, The Mall including walking by the Washington Monument, through the WWII Monument, by the Reflecting Pool, viewing the Lincoln Memorial, passing along the Vietnam Memorial Wall, and then to the North Lawn of the White House. Along the way there was also a tent museum of classic cars from “failed” brands. All that in three days. Whirlwind seems the best word.
Now, the moment to talk about. How do you explain to a 4 year old all that he just experienced (especially when he seems most excited about his most recently mashed penny)? You cannot. So, you have to have a moment where he gets it, where he sees how important you see it, where he sees your passion. Chaos and I shared that at the WWII Memorial. I have wanted to go to this since it opened. I have a long history in my own life of appreciation for that war. I grew up going to WWII themed air shows, seeing those who knew the history best slowly die out, knowing some of what my grandfather went through in his service for that war, and hoping that somehow we could preserve as much of the truth as possible. So, as I knelt by the stone etched with “NORMANDY”, thankful for the sunglasses hiding my ever-moistening eyes, I called him over to me. He knew I was having some issues, and so he went from 1000 mph to right there with me in the moment. I told him about his great-grandfather, as abbreviated as possible. The Big Red One, North Africa, Sicily, and then back to Normandy. Then, as we stood and walked toward the back of the Memorial, we saw an Honor Flight. I knew Chaos had to at least thank one of them. We walked to one in a wheel chair, and he seemed to struggle with it as much as I did. Where I really struggled was the Veteran with the hat that said, “World War II, Korea, Vietnam”. When Chaos thanked him, this Veteran, this Man, this Hero for serving for three conflicts, said, “You're welcome for whatever, I'm sure”. This man's daughter saw and got a picture, and then as we walked away I saw something that surprised me. It was a group of teenagers sight seeing, but who made sure to shake hands and thank these men.
Will Chaos remember those moments. I don't know, but I can hope. I had another moment that he didn't hear, when a woman at the point of the Vietnam Memorial was leafing through one of the books of where the names are and I overheard her say, “I had a crush on him in high school”. That struck me in a way I cannot completely explain, mostly because of its unexpected nature.
And so, surprised more than once, I hope that he begins to see it. I hope he begins to feel the history, feel the connection with these people past. He's 4, the age I went to my first air show in Hamilton, Ontario. Their Lancaster had not been completed, but I remember walking by it in buffed steel, and wondering at its size. I did not understand its historic place then, but I do now (If you're unaware, for starters, look up a movie entitled “The Dam Busters”, and go from there). I hope I'm starting him so that he has the grounding he needs so that he can be surprised, and celebrate the surprise of other of other people's experiences that coalesce into these United States in her best lights.
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