Chapter One: Jordan gets political.
A couple of weeks ago, Jordan and I were heading out on our weekly journey to art school. We weren’t even out of our subdivision when Jordan had asked several questions that lead to an interesting conversation about the role of federal vs provincial governments, social programmes vs infrastructure, the decriminalization of homosexual relations in Canada (late 60′s? early 70′s?) – Jordan was shocked that it would have been illegal at all in the first place. We talked about the Meech (Meach?) Lake Accord and I discovered that I am shamefully under-informed on that, though I did manage to pull the phrase “Distinct Society” from the cluttered recesses of my mind. Jordan listened and replied and he asked astute and well-thought-out questions and is clearly forming some more complex opinions on such matters. It was very satisfying.
We grabbed some take-out, put in an audiobook: Beethoven: His Life and Music and hit the road. Jordan complained about having to listen to a cd about Beethoven, but eventually settled in for the ride.
Chapter Two: Suffering is a Fact of Life.
Jordan: Mom! Wait! Pause the cd!
me: What is it?
J: You mean to tell me, that this guy – one of the greatest composers of all time – goes DEAF?!
me: Yes, honey. He lost his hearing completely.
J: But that’s not fair! How come bad stuff always happens to famous people?!
This lead to a great discussion about suffering being a fact of life, that bad stuff happens to everyone and that a key to happiness and contentment is accepting that suffering is natural and unavoidable. We also talked about how it is important not to run from the bad things in your life, because you can’t avoid the pain without also avoiding the joy and everything in between… and if you avoid all that, then your life lacks the depth to be truly meaningful.
We talked about religion and how it is a means for many people to accept, understand and deal with the suffering in their lives. And then I told him that suffering is the inspiration and source of much of the best art.
J: That doesn’t make sense! How can you make beautiful things from bad things?
me: Because, Honey, there is beauty in the pain.
J: Yeah. Right, Mom.
:P
Chapter Three: That Song is Stuck in my Head.
When we finally got to the music school where Jordan’s art lessons are held, we both had to use the washroom. I came out to find Jordan sitting in a chair waiting for me … and grinning.
me: What is it?
J: Listen…
I heard a student practicing the piano. Start. Stop. Repeat a section a few times. Carry on.
me: Ah.. a piano lesson.
J: Not just a piano lesson… Someone is learning to play [Beethoven's] Moonlight Sonata!
He was right :)
