No Sloppy Kisses From Me
Sunshine, cold drinks, yard sales - there are so many things to enjoy about summer. I love it because my nephew is out of school and we have more time to see each other (for privacy purposes, I will refer to him as “Dragon”). I’m so proud of the young man Dragon is becoming, but I can’t help smiling when I remember him as just a little guy. One of my favorite memories is a letter he sent me when he was only three. Here are his main points:
No Sloppy Kisses
"I like your hugs, but I don' like your sloppy kisses. Just nice ones."
What? Me? Sloppy kisses? Was I reading this correctly? I am not a sloppy kisser. I felt the urge to argue my point. On the sloppiness meter of kisses, I registered quite low.
But I didn’t argue. It would not be a noble act, defending yourself to a three-year-old. And more than that, I had crossed a personal space boundary with my nephew. Cramming affection down his throat wouldn’t help our relationship. In the years since then, I have definitely tried to respect Dragon’s needs and only sneak in those auntie kisses every so often.
Special Events
Another specific mention three-year-old Dragon made in his letter was looking forward to a sleepover at my house. This tells me how important special activities are for little ones. And in a workaholic world, adults need to put special dates on their calendars too. We all need something to look forward to, to hope for, to get us through long days and difficult work weeks. Whether it’s a trip to the beach, a movie night, a hike, I need to schedule time for fun. I just need to find time to do that…*Special Note: Dragon and I did have that sleepover; it was a grand success.
Little Gifts
The last point in Dragon's letter was to thank me for jelly beans. The first round I ever gave him was for Easter when he was two, and jelly beans have become our special tradition.
“How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers?”
Jelly beans may not seem like a big deal to adults, but kids really appreciate these little traditions. When I was young, one of my favorite treats was the Peanut Buster Parfaits my dad got from Dairy Queen. Heck, I still get excited when my husband surprises me with a bottle of Diet Coke or picks up sushi for dinner. Thanks to Dragon, I see that it’s not the cost of the gift. It’s the bond that the present creates. So bring on those jelly beans.
A Sloppy Conclusion
Watching the news, we see a world that devalues children. Stories of abuse and neglect make us shudder. This prompts me to look at my own life and ask: How do I honor the little ones in my community?
One way to release love to kids is by including them. I do this with my music. Whether it’s at farmers markets or at church, I’m always looking for ways to let kids join in with the grownups. Something as simple as handing them an egg shaker can cause their face to light up. And not a time goes by that I fail to learn something from the kids. Sometimes it’s their enthusiasm and ability to let loose that inspires me. Other times, it’s a shy child finding the courage to join in with the band. I might be the adult, but they are the true teachers.
Thanks to all you kids out there who have made me a better person, especially my jelly bean-loving nephew Dragon.
-Enjoy the journey, Heidi Beth
TELL ME:
What are ways we can honor children in our community?
BOHEMIAN CHALLENGE:
Schedule a fun activity on your calendar this month. Bring along some jelly beans (gourmet, of course).