The day before my first grandchild was born I read a review in The Guardian of a book called 'The Philosophical Baby: What Children’s Minds Tell Us about Truth, Love and the Meaning of Life', by an American professor of psychology, Alison Gopnik. A short time afterwards when I held the 15 hour old Theodore Isaac I thought how true it was; I was looking into the eyes of a philosopher. He stared at me with such comprehension. He seemed to be saying, “I know all about you and despite all your faults and failings I love you.”
Alison Gopnik says that babies are “smarter, more imaginative, more caring and even more conscious that adults.” Instinctively we already knew this and it is his imagination and consciousness that makes us want to protect Theo. We want him to feel the world is a good place and that people are worthy of his trust. In return we think he will improve us. We shall become more optimistic, creative, thoughtful adults.
According to the author caring for children means you experience a little saintliness. So just call Theo’s parents, St. Chloe and St. Videl, and all his adoring family and friends are hoping for beatification too.
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