In the future, their role will be stronger. Mary Pipher writes, Children like coziness, adults nearby and safe places to hide out and watch activities. They like routines, predictability and familiar places. They like tree houses, alleys and places under stairways. The spaces we construct for children and the spaces we leave alone for them affect their mental health.
Places can protect families as well.
These sacred places can be anywhere. Interest, rituals, celebrations, places, stories, pictures, metaphors all protect families. They transcend time. They give families a context and meaning, a history and philosophy. This morning I invite you once again to close your eyes and to get in touch with a place that evokes for you a sense of awe, mystery, wonder.