This morning I had an idea, which turned out to be something I thought was a good idea, only to find that what might seem like a good idea to me, is not necessarily a good idea to my daughter, and the reasons why were not something that ever occurred to me.
I am continually surprised by the insights Emma, so patiently, gives me and am reminded again and again that my assumptions limit my views. Thank you Emma for giving me permission to post our conversation.
Ariane: I thought we could begin the day by discussing who you might like to interview and about what topic?
Emma: Is the way here, thinking, knowing, and asking about another, helpful?
Ariane: I think it’s interesting and certainly can be helpful to get to know other people’s experiences of life. Asking is a great way to understand another’s perspective. Who would you like to interview?
Emma: Using questions to sing truths meaningfully speaks to all.
Ariane: That’s so true! Music is a universal language that can transcend words.
Emma: What did those we cannot ask, say?
Ariane: Who are you thinking of, Emma?
Emma: Those who cannot speak and have no one who believes in their ability to communicate in other ways.
Ariane: Here’s the thing though, we can ask. We may not get an answer we understand, but we can still ask and I think that’s the beginning, right? We ask anyway and then do everything we can to understand the answer, even if it’s not in spoken language or in ways we understand at first.
Emma: Understanding that all human beings want connection is natural and fundamentally human.
Ariane: I agree. So Em, what was it like before you were able to type?
Emma: Days bloated with tears, frustration, anxiety and raging questions that only made daily living harder.
Ariane: Ah… can you tell me more?
Emma: Thinking and wanting to ask questions, but knowing the words would come out wrong was too painful, best to silence asking than to be in the smothering feelings of tremendous frustration.
Ariane: I imagine interviewing someone must be hard, even now that you can type. Would you say that’s true?
Emma: Sometimes ease is not an option.
Ariane: You do not need to ask any questions unless you choose to, Emma, I wasn’t considering any of this when I first introduced the idea. I’m sorry. What else should we do right now?
Emma: How about a conversation using music and no words?
Ariane: Great idea!
Some of the instruments Emma chose for us to use in our “conversation.”
Emma's Hope Book 