Why I Write Picture Book Allegories, by Susie E. Caron

You may be wondering why a psychologist would want to write picture book allegories, or maybe not? Since this is my blog......I feel like sharing anyway. (I hope this isn't too boring.)

I started out as a child.....like we all do...
Then I became a teacher......as some do......
 Later my husband and I adopted children.......... we didn't have a clue......
I began my entrepreneurial pursuit when I opened a horseback riding school, which I operated for about 10 years. Then I got really sick. So we sold it. Our kids moved on to college and I faced an empty nest. My husband and I moved a few times as we followed his career. I couldn't just sit around. So, after buying a home in north eastern Vermont, I re-entered education as a substitute teacher. I told friends that I essentially taught 'social skills' in study hall. However, that's where I met a teenaged student who reminded me of my long forgotten desire to be a psychologist.

This young teen was accompanied by an assortment of  teen boys, and he clearly desired and captured lots of attention.  He wore many different colors of hair and piercings and more often than not, he got into trouble. I cared about him, but without being sappy. He noticed, but when I offered to talk, he politely but firmly declined and said, "Many have tried and all have failed." I respected his wishes but it bothered me that he felt 'all had failed.'  I always liked working with kids and especially those often deemed "difficult
" by others. I felt strongly most of them just needed someone to see them, and to connect with the kid inside. I wanted to do that and to be that person.

By the end of the school year, I decided to go to graduate school for my Masters in Clinical Psychology. I was 49 & 1/2 years old that summer and my daughter took me to a nearby college to learn how to use a computer and word process. I entered graduate school the following fall.

During the next year of school, I often wondered if I was cut out for this field. My answer came the second year while checking out  at a supermarket in the college town. Across from me, in the next isle, stood a young man, bagging groceries.  He wore regular clothes and a regular hair cut and color. I recognized him the instant he recognized me. However, what happened next was anything but ordinary.

The young man stopped bagging. He walked over to the end of the isle where I stood and took my right hand in both of his. In one quiet motion he knelt down on one knee and brought my hand,  to his forehead. Then he stood, nodded and went back to his work bagging. The gesture took only a moment in time. Nothing was said. Nothing needed to be said. I felt I had just received a gift and I was grateful for him.

Perhaps you believe the young man was mocking me. All I can tell you is that others in the store who witnessed his gesture  appeared to be struck silent by the feeling of his gentle kindness that permeated the air.  I know that I felt it.

So why do I write picture book allegories? I do so to connect with the person inside: the child or adult.  We all make meaning of what we read or see, out of our own experiences. Allegories allow individuals to think about themselves, to identify with others, and perhaps to experience life in a new way.

I hope this story touches you. Most of all, I hope you have a wonderful meaning making day and that someone sees you, the person inside.


You can connect with me. Just click on the symbols at the top of this page.

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