Innocence

     Each of us is born into this world with no previous knowledge of what awaits us when we get here. From that first moment when we draw our first breath until our dying day when we breathe our last, our innocence is continuously chipped away. We learn the hard way most times that not everyone is nice, not everyone loves us, and not everything goes our way. Being a parent, I know first hand that feeling that overcomes one to keep your babies in a bubble in an attempt to protect them from all the bad things in life. Unfortunately by doing that, we squelch their chance to live and learn on their own.

     Back in the 1970’s when I was growing up, television was pretty tame. There were no VCR’s and the only way to check out an “R” rated movie was to grow up and go see one at the movie theater. Parents avoided having the “talk” at all costs and left kids in the dark about a lot of issues.

   

     I remember in the 6th grade when the girls were separated from the boys and to our collective embarrassment we were told about the birds and the bees and forced to watch an embarrassing movie that explained in the most scientific terms just where babies came from and exactly what our private parts were called and what we could do with them. On the most part, I think we were still pretty innocent and clueless even after the grand reveal. I remember being horrified to discover I would begin bleeding every month. Even though the powers that be assured us that it was all perfectly normal, it was still a subject that wasn’t to be discussed and if asked we were to keep it a big dirty secret. It was so embarrassing, and a little frightening!! It wasn’t a subject my mom ever talked to me about, and I sure as hell never had any intention of asking her about it except in the broadest of terms.

     I remember getting on the school bus to go home feeling completely mortified. Even though the girls had been warned not to discuss what had went on, the boys must have not gotten such a warning and several 6th grade boys were gathered in the back of the bus dissecting the details of their little meeting about the facts of life. In hindsight, the revelations that were shared that day were a little comical. I remember one boy exclaiming he had discovered he had “peanuts” and “testable” things in his pants. Anyone in earshot was appropriately amazed and horrified. I didn’t know what to think! People ate peanuts!! Why would they be in boys pants??

     Today’s generation of kids lose their innocence far quicker than previous generations. It is everywhere in full color for all to see. Not only are they a lot more worldly, they aren’t as embarrassed as I remember being. I have chosen to educate my kids and answer their questions as honestly and completely as I can. I feel it is much better to be informed and wise than ignorant, even if it screws up their innocent ideals far sooner. It is part of life. With the correct knowledge they can make better choices and I can keep them safe far better.

     It is a pity we can’t all stay innocent and child like forever. Unfortunately, that is not the way life is. It is a ticket headed straight for disaster to march through life with your head firmly planted up you’re a$$ oblivious. With that said, I still encourage my kids to believe in the magic of Santa Claus, to play with toys, the power and goodness of G0d, and to approach life with all the wonderment of a child and have fun. Why grow up any quicker than you have to? That is all I have to say until next time when I give you another glimpse into the life of a trucker’s wife.