Why the continued demand for masks for the children? When will we give the children freedom from fear over COVID-19?
I remember having measles and probably passing it on to the many siblings yet at home. Mother endured caring for us all, but when we were no longer ill, we returned to school, ran outdoors and played and continued with life.
One sister had polio at about 13 years old. She spent weeks in a hospital. Upon release she got on the bicycle and rode it daily until all pain had left her affected leg. She recovered and went on with life.
Yes, others suffered terribly from the disease and I'm grateful for the vaccine that came shortly after the pandemic. However, seeing small children with masks makes me wonder what the trauma from fear may be doing to them. Life was so free to enjoy at one time. We worked on the farm and when the work was done, we played, we swam, we sang as we marched around the farm. We grew up knowing the joy of achievement. Playing baseball on the front lawn usually ended up with a ball through the kitchen window.
Mother never scolded us. She just sent a brother who could drive to get a pane to replace the one swept up from the floor. I doubt that the driver was over 14. I know because the first time I drove the truck to the store I was only 11. At 14, I drove to the city whenever it was necessary to go to town. (No, I'm not suggesting that for today.)
Without fear and uncertainty in childhood, we become adults who no longer need to be childish. That would have been fulfilled in the years given for development. Pat them on the head, give gentle advice, and pray for wisdom to guide them.
Lois Gnegy,
Rochester
