Nana...how many penises does God have?

Many years ago, back when the little love of my life was a tiny bundle of joy, I made myself a silent promise.  I promised that when the time came, and all the questions began, I would answer them as honestly as I could.

I can't remember when it all started.  The questions.  And more questions.  But, true to my own promise, I answered, and still answer, every one as honestly as I can, to the best of my knowledge, and in a way a little six year old can hopefully understand.

My little Aidan has so many questions!  He has learnt such a lot these past couple of years.  And I have discovered I know a lot more than I thought I did!
Lately, we have taken to checking in with 'Google' when the questions have been a little complicated to answer, or if I just plain don't know the answer.

There have been questions about the universe...why does it get dark at night...how does the earth turn...how hot is the sun, to questions about life...why do we die...where does our spirit go...is there ice cream in heaven. And on and on...

Recently however, I was asked the most interesting of questions!  (I sometimes have no idea what this child thinks, or why, but he keeps churning out the questions!) 

It was one of those hot, humid summer days, where all I wanted to do was stay indoor in my cool, air-conditioned house.  Being too hot even to go to the beach, my little Aidan decided he'd like to hang out with nana and have some 'treats'. 
So there we were, just hanging out eating popsicles, when, out of the blue..."Nana, how many penises does God have?"  Hmmm...how to answer this one?  Once I overcame the initial shock of the question, and fleetingly asking myself where the issue of the multiple penises came from, I proceeded to answer the question as best I could.  "I don't think God has any penises, munchkin."  "But why, nana?"  "Well, God is spirit, and probably doesn't have to go pee, like we do, so he wouldn't need a penis."  "Nana, does God have a vagina, if he doesn't have a penis?" "No, bud, God probably doesn't have a vagina, either, even though God could be a girl and not a boy, or maybe God could be both a girl and a boy....!  At this point, as you can tell, I took to rambling!

Anyway, my answer seemed to have worked!  Oh, how I long for the days when the questions were as simple as "Nana, why is the sky blue?"

Tolerance

My heart aches for all the lost souls of the terrible tragedy in Norway this past weekend.  And for the families who are left behind to attempt to glue back together the fragmented pieces of their shattered lives.  And for the country itself, who's people pride themselves on tolerance and peaceful co-existence.  And, as difficult as it is...for the perpetrator of this tragedy.  For he too, is a victim of sorts.  Of ideology and fanaticism.

I have told my daughter, on many occasions, that if I have taught her one thing in this life, passed along just one attribute that I aspire to, it is tolerance .  The 'Live and Let Live' thing.  The understanding that we are all one.  Seeing the inherent goodness in all of humanity.  Accepting that there is more than one way to connect with God (whatever 'God' is for each of us.)  If I have taught her that, then I will leave this planet in peace when my time comes.

I think she gets it.  No, I know she gets it!  My joy, and my peace, is knowing that this understanding will be passed along to my little Aidan, with or without me.  Not that I'm the greatest mother (who is?!) but it feels good to know I did something right!

I gave up religion more than forty years ago.  I remember well the 'moment of decision' (though I'm sure it came about after much contemplation.)  Crossing an intersection of a busy road and saying Enough! Enough!  After crossing that intersection, is when the real journey began and continues still, and will, I hope, until my last breath.

So many books.  Some wonderful and life changing.  Others not so much.  And yet a few more went into the garbage can!  We read.  We learn.  We take away that which resonates with our hearts and souls, and let go of the rest.

I have studied most religions and...I think I've found the problem!  Most (well, at least the 'biggies') espouse to the theory that 'their way is the right way - the only way'  and if you don't follow 'their way' you will burn in hell.  Such hogwash!  I have little time (or, dare I say, tolerance) for 'organized' religion, and the 'holier than thou' stuff.  It is soul deflating and dis-empowering.  At least to me.  I know some people find strength in it, and that's OK.  This is about tolerance, right?

One book I read is called 'What God Wants' by Neale Donald Walsch.  First page - blank!  Second page - blank!  Third page - one word...'Nothing'!  God wants nothing!  Why would God want anything?  S(He) is God, for God's sake!  And if we are indeed 'God's children' like all the 'big books' say, then what would God, as our 'parent' want for us?  There are words in a children's song by Raffi that I think just about sums it up - 'A song in my heart...food in my belly...and love in my family...'

And we are all 'family' in the grand scheme of things.  A lot of us just haven't got that yet.  Dare I say, I must have faith?!  Faith that someday we will 'get it'!  All be it kicking and screaming.  And through tragedy, despair, and heartache, such as the events of this past weekend, we come to question 'why?' and then to question 'what can I do to change it?' Finding those answers is, and has unfortunately been for millennia, humanity's task.

My beautiful grandson!

My little Aidan...I wish you a lifetime of peace and happiness.  Indeed I wish you a song in your heart, food in your belly, and love in your family.  And I wish you tolerance...acceptance...empathy for all of humanity.  For they too are your 'family'!  And may you find your God...whatever that is for you, and only you.