Guy and I went on our first "play date" to the park the other day with a couple of friends and their children. How might an almost-5-month-old play with other children, you ask? He didn't, really. However, he did enjoy the unseasonably warm weather sprawled out on a blanket on the grass. Parks in Amman are sparse, especially those sporting greenery like we found at this particular one. It was fun to watch him observe the grass and trees.On the way home, I was reminded of one of my favorite aspects of Arab culture. Stopped at a traffic light, there was a woman standing on the side of the road next to our taxi. She was a standard-looking Jordanian woman: long coat, covered head, serious (rather, severe) expression on her face. As I looked out the window, she made eye contact with me and quickly looked away. Two seconds later, I looked down at Guy sitting in my lap. He was looking at the lady and smiling so happily. I turned and looked at the woman again and she was smiling too. Her whole face lit up. It was a total transformation.
Most Arabs really love and value children. They love being around them, talking to them, kissing them. It's especially fun to watch men of all ages do almost anything to get a child to smile. I've watched cars hold up traffic on a busy road trying to get Guy's attention and see his face.
Jordan can be such a serious place. I once heard someone accurately describe Amman as a city where it appears all the people walk around with something behind them pushing their heads toward the ground. Rarely joking, little joy, plenty of anger, lots of fears. But the joy and pleasure they have in children is unlike any I've seen in another culture. It renews my gratefulness that we've been blessed with our son who can bring joy into someone's life just by his presence.
