Children and the Elderly

Dear Mme Weed:

I came upon your sight while desperately searching for some answers on strangers touching children...here's what happened just a few hours ago and both myself and my husband cannot seem to shake this weird feeling:

We were on the train with our children (we live in NYC) and as we were exiting the train at our stop, this old woman that was sitting across from us, touched our children quickly on their arms before we got off of the train.  This really upset me because I do not know what her intentions were.  She did it quickly and without warning - and it seemed as though it was something she HAD to do before we got off.  When I looked at her, she had this smile on her face...I can't understand why she touched each of our children as quick as she could. Was this a spell on our children? 

Please provide your guidance.

Thank you...

Children have a special magic, some adults know this, most have forgotten.

Old people are often especially aware of the magic of children, and they often will want to be near children and or come into contact with them.

In a normal society, old people would be integrated into the family, having ongoing contact with younger generations, while the children would have ongoing contact with older generations.

These days, we send our kids away to college, and when they graduate, they move to wherever the job is available. They have children and the cycle continues. When the parents become grandparents, often they are so far away that they and their grandchildren do not get to spend time together…

In the not too distant past, the entire family would live together….many generations under one roof…while adults went out to work, the older family members would stay home with the children and care for them, there would be a wonderful exchange of love and knowledge, older people passing down the traditions and lore, the younger people giving love and caring to their elders.

Now, old people grow old alone….and kids are sent off to daycare and then school to spend most of their time with strangers. Parents work extra hard to pay for the childcare, best schools, and of course college…and the cycle continues.

My intuition tells me that this woman touched your children to get some of their magic, and the smile you saw was a bit of that magic that had rubbed off of the kids to her. Fear not, your children have an unlimited supply of magic, which will only be taken away over the years as they are made to comply with societal norms, work requirements, and the isolation our society demands…..in interest of work, productivity, corporate interests,  monetary gain, and commercialism.

I was not there, so can’t say for sure, but this is my impression…

Your children will follow your lead….so envision that situation how you want it to be, not based on fear.

I live in the Catskills, but was raised in NYC. I have a small child, and am very careful with her, so I appreciate your protectiveness and it can be scary raising kids in such a populated area….although, I can tell you that most people are good and kind and mean well, even in the city….

Hope this helps,

Love,

Justine

Hi Justine,

If I may add a little insight into this as well. My husband is first generation Mexican American and was raised in "Little Mexico" in South Side Chicago. He also has been in the restaurant industry with predominately Hispanics.

I've also worked in an Arabic restaurant and been friends with the owner/staff most of my life. In both of these cultures they consider it very important to gently touch a child to break any "fascination" or bewitchment they may have inadvertently put on the child. They do this because it is normal for an adult to wish they had the magic and joy of being a child again. They believe, if they touch the child, it prevents the evil eye and any jealousy, well intended or not, from causing the child harm.

When I had my daughter, I had to get over the homogenized American ideal that we do not touch others as I had dozens of Mexican and Arabic friends touching the baby to break the "fascination". It's harmless and brings good luck and it's a lot better than my Greek relatives who spit on the baby to ward off evil! :) My daughter has never been ill, so the touching is not transferring germs, and I think it is a wonderful touchstone to the cultures we are so quick to forget.

Blessings,

Kate

Wise Woman Team
www.wisewomanweb.com
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanbookshop.com

Comments

[Exa G]

This reminds me of David's Mom,and how she loves to reach out and touch children.

[Jessica]

I agree with Justine, and Kate. There are many different kinds of touching, and old people today are put away once they outlive their usefulness to society. I grew up in a community where touching was a part of life...my grandmothers were very affectionate, and I'm open to my youngest son being touched by old people, and people who want hugs, but it has to be on his terms, as he is very selective about contact with people now-he's 4 years old and very sensitive to energy from other people. He loves old people, and will hug them and shake their hands if he feels they need a bit of his warmth-he's very compassionate and sensitive to other's needs.