On turning 10

A parishioner asked me to write a few words to her daughter who will turn 10 next week. Here's what I wrote:

I came across a poem a couple of weeks ago by Billy Collins, who used to be our country’s poet laureate. The poem is called “On Turning Ten,” so I was very excited, thinking I could use this for your book. The poem, however, is a little sad. He writes that when one turns 10, a young person gives up a large piece of his or her childhood. Imagination is lost. Playfulness is left behind. Wonder is discarded. I suppose there is a little truth in that. As one gets older (and especially when you hit double digits!), there is an expectation to mature and these days adults (including myself) may have an unrealistic expectation that we need to “grow up” children faster than we should.

You are already a very bright young person, full of delight and wisdom, and what a joy for me to get the chance to know you. But I hope as you get older, hitting 11, 12, 13 (!), 16, 20, that you don’t give up all of your childhood, especially a sense of wonder. This is the highlight of being a child, I think, wonder. Having a sense of awe in the face of all we come across because there is holiness in everything. There’s a story in the book of Acts where Peter heals a disabled homeless man. When the people realized what had happened, “they were filled with wonder and amazement.” May God continue to fill you with wonder and amazement, no matter how old you are.