Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

In the spirit of VBS this week I am writing today about YOUTH...in the format of one of my favorite books: "The Book of Qualities" by Ruth Gendler who brings to life so many feelings and emotions that are rarely expressed so clearly to me. I hope I do it justice...


Youth is carefree as she spends her days seeking and laughing. She isn’t even sure what she is seeking, she just goes anywhere and everywhere and that is the root of her laughter. Youth believes there is gold at the other end of the rainbow. She is friends with the sunshine and the rain. Youth has many friends, though most of them don’t remember her. Youth remembers when all her friends were make-believe…at least they never forgot her.

The truth of the matter is many of Youth’s old friends haven’t forgotten her; they are just embarrassed by her lack of humility and pride. She is such a simpleton and far too carefree for such a grown-up world. Suave and Sophisticated remember Youth but wouldn’t dare admit it. They are among couples of an elite and highly selective class. They don’t have time for Youth.

When Youth comes to visit their children, they send them all away with the nanny. Youth tries to tell the children about when she would play with their parents…not so long ago, but the kids don’t believe her. They know Youth has a way of exaggerating things, at least that’s what their parents told them when they agreed to let them go play.

Youth waves to Ignorance as he passes by. They have known each other for life. Youth and Ignorance never grow up. Youth has learned to adapt, but Ignorance never changes. Ignorance prefers to walk around making claims that sound wise, but are really soaked in mistruth or misunderstanding. Youth won’t argue when Ignorance goads her. Youth knows from experience, no matter how hard she battles there will be no ‘winner’.

Youth’s only enemy is Death. Death tries to kidnap youth but youth is too agile to be captured. Death only wears black. Death hides in shadows and in hospital rooms preying on the weak. Youth spent some time in a children’s ward at the hospital and knows Death well. They actually spoke once for some time as Death came to pick up one of the patients. Youth argued with Death over the patient, but Death won. The patient went with Death but only at the promise of light to come.

Youth goes to bed when she’s told, but she doesn’t always fall asleep immediately. She ponders the day and smiles with the hope of tomorrow. Youth has heard her parents say that she is “fleeting” but she knows with all certainty that she is here to stay!