Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

Elsewhere I may have mentioned my theory, now a conviction, that age two is the peak in the human trajectory. Sure, I used to think it was around 26 or 27 but I’ve changed my mind. The enthusiasm, curiosity and energy of a two-year-old are never matched again! It’s to be hoped that we are often able to muster enthusiasm as life goes on. We may keep or develop a probing and ever-questioning mind. But, even granted that, the energy will certainly diminish.

My adulation of two-year-olds got a boost recently hearing on Public Radio that the favorite music of a particular two-year-old was Beethoven’s Ode to Joy from his Ninth Symphony. (If you don’t know it as such, you very likely have heard the melody used for a joyous hymn.) Don’t underestimate the little dears! A friend has a four-year-old whose favorite food is Gorgonzola gnocchi! He probably can’t pronounce or spell it any more than the other one can say Beethoven, but it lights up his eyes and whets his appetite!

What more appropriate music for two-year-olds than the Ode to Joy: they never walk! They always run!  They can go, jump, climb, crawl till they finally fall asleep. It’s as if they had some conviction about the brevity of human life and are out to soak it up! Do they perhaps think to themselves: “This elasticity and agility, they tell me, won’t last, why waste time just walking, you don’t see as much that way.”

You will never find a table covering to pull off or a lotion to spill if you just stay put!  My random movements and undignified waddle will inevitably have to be exchanged for something more sedate, my diaper for a dress or a suit.  Laughing might get a bit strained at times. Responsibility and life’s setbacks can make it hard to be so carefree and joyful.”   

If you are in the vicinity of a two-year-old or have one or see one, stop and enjoy the joy!  And hope that it is contagious! (PS: Especially to you worn-out parents of the little dears: I do know there’s a lot of very high, messy and expensive maintenance involved. Your patience and resilience are my reasons for thinking you deserve canonization – and a bonus too!)

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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