Tonight I am baby-sitting an adorable 9-month old. He crawls, pulls himself to standing, and tastes everything. Every detail of the world is new to him; he seems to be learning something new every second. Since no one else was around, I found myself making the dumbest noises around him in a seemingly instinctive effort to teach him words, music, rhythm, and sounds.

When I heard him uttering sounds and babbling to himself, I began thinking of the reverse of childhood–the childhood of senility, adult dependence, and aging. This childhood (and sometimes infancy) is obviously not the childhood most find endearing. There is a loss of hope that comes with observing babies and children, for when watching this group of tiny people, one is yearning for growth and learning. One thinks, “When will he take his first step? I wonder what he will be like when he is a teenager?” The hope for one who is in the second childhood or infancy is more of a time of reflection, regression, and, at times, depression. The hope in this case comes for life after death rather than for physical or mental progression in this life.

Sadly, some children stay in a state of permanent infancy or childhood. One of my students was relating this to me today in a class discussion. Her ten year old sister has the mind and actions of a one-year-old due to her mother’s heart medication while breastfeeding. I think one of my worst fears might be having a child that does not progress physically, mentally, socially, or spiritually. Another of my worst fears is facing the aging of my parents, my siblings, and my husband. I know if the time comes for me to confront any of these fears in the future, I will be given the strength. Who knew babysitting could prompt such reflection?