Saying Goodbye to Very Young ChildrenThey will not be the same next time. The sayingsso cute, just slightly off, will be corrected.Their eyes will be more skeptical, plugged inthe more securely to the worldly buzzof television, alphabet, and street talk,culture polluting their gazes' dawn blue.It makes you see at last the value ofthose boring aunts and neighbors {their smellsof summer sweat and cigarettes, their faceslike shapes of sky between shade-giving leaves}who knew you from the start, when you were zero,cooing their nothings before you could be bore
In "Saying Goodbye to Very Young Children," John Updike reflects on the inevitable changes that occur in young children as they grow. The innocence and charm they possess in their early years will gradually fade away, replaced by a more skeptical outlook influenced by the world around them, including media and societal interactions. This shift marks a loss of the pure, unfiltered joy present in childhood, highlighting how experiences and exposure alter their perceptions.
Updike nostalgically appreciates the importance of those everyday figures in childhood, like aunts and neighbors, who provided moments of simple connection and comfort. Their familiar scents and gentle interactions remind him of a time when life was more innocent and unencumbered by the complexities of adult life. The reflection serves as a reminder to value these seemingly mundane relationships that shape our early identity and contribute to our sense of belonging.
