Where does he come up with this?
Sometimes when my son and I are marveling at the 11 year old philosopher’s wisdom we ask each other this question.
Will has always had a different way of looking at things. He reminds me of the ancient druids who took a special interest in –in-between things like mistletoe, which is neither quite a plant or a tree, and mist which is neither quite rain not quite air, and dreams which are not quite sleep nor just quite waking. The druids believed in such things because it gave them a glimpse into the mystery of two worlds at once.
As a young boy, Will used to look at himself in the full length mirror in the front entry hall to their home. He would carry on lengthy conversations with the young boy that was his reflection. They told each other secrets and discussed how difficult life was at times. Living in a child’s body in an adult world was hard work for the two boys.
Will has evolved like we all do to engaging in those conversations with himself. The mirror has left the entryway and so has the young child in the mirror. Those conversations still reflect on the two worlds Will lives in. The innocence, openness, and playing for fun world of a child, versus self-consciousness, guardedness, and playing for keeps of the adult.
Perhaps, where he gets the wisdom is in that internal mirror he carries with him and that allows him to still see his boyhood friend and view into the mystery of both worlds. He is able to find that ultimate truth that lies somewhere between the innocence of child, and the experience of adult.
Maybe we should just ask Will where he gets his wisdom, but we shouldn’t be surprised if says it comes from the boy in the mirror.
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