Helping Everyone
Posted on July 4, 2021
My very favourite children’s book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, is still my favourite today. It has been a pleasure to read it with my own children, now that I have unfortunately outgrown it – presumably.
The tale captures Maurice sentiment, “To get a child’s trust – you may know or not – is a very hard thing to do. They’re so used to not believing adults – because adults tell tales and lies all the time.” as well as this one, “In plain terms, a child is a complicated creature who can drive you crazy. There’s a cruelty to childhood, there’s an anger.”.
Working within paediatrics is a constant reminder of childhood. However, it is filled with stressful situations, oftentimes ones that no parent or child should ever have to suffer. It is during these times that Maurice’s words, “There must be more to life than having everything.” comes to mind. Situations where people would give anything for a positive outcome for their child, following the surgery I am about to perform. It is from these experiences, as well as many others in my personal life, that the definition of Percivious was conceived. The ultimate in altruism. Self-sacrifice in order to benefit others with no regard to reward or reciprocity.
Perhaps Maurice’s own story inspired him to write Where The Wild Things Are, a tale that captures the attention of both young and old because it resonates with all ages. The difficult task of growing up, the desire to escape real life and the relief at knowing that someone will still love you, no matter what, at the end of the day.
If I were to answer Maurice’s question – what’s better than having everything? In my experience, it’s helping everyone, or at least as many people (especially children) as you can.
1 thought on “Helping Everyone”
Rosalina
–Very good article. I am experiencing some of these issues as well..