Story time at our library is a time for young kids to watch a movie, hear a book, wiggle, (dance and sing, limbo and hokey pokey) and do a craft every Tuesday and Thursday. It's a wonderful time that mothers look forward to. To see their kids creativity flow out of their little bodies and into the world, and then later, if mom is lucky, they will have a nice long nap.
Lately mom and child have been lucky enough to include dad into the mix. Dads of all ages started showing up to story time on a regular basis about six months ago. Possibly when dad lost his job or had his job outsourced to, oh I don't know, India? But instead of sitting home feeling sorry for themselves they have ventured out of the home to the library where they can shake their booty to "If your happy and you know it" or "Jump down turn around get your body movin". Watch a good movie with their little prince or princess on their laps and have a contest to see who can make the best puppet out of a popsicle stick and a paper plate.
Imagine the angst they are going through of having no job and no way to pay for their little one's college tuition or the lunchables they love so much. The worry that is gnawing away at the back of their brain like an out of control termite is just unbearble. But there they are with a goofy grin on their face. One arm full of picture books and a sweet little child hanging off the other, as they make their way out into the world.
Some day soon, God love them, they will have another job and these worries will fade from their minds. Just an old agonizing memory for them to wince at when they are older.
On the other hand, the child will have a fist, possibly two fists, full of wonderful memories of how Dad used to go with them to the library for story time and good round of limbo.
And that my friends is what The Edge of a Butter Knife is all about.
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