Everyday, I understand the gift of a child a little more clearly
I went to La Jolla Shores beach with my three year old daughter today. She thinks she’s a mermaid. Really. We were meeting some friends and although I was wearing a swimsuit I hadn’t planned on swimming. However, the mermaid had different plans. Not only did she want to swim, she wanted to swim in gigantic ten foot waves while holding onto me with water splashing over our heads. Now, I’m a confident swimmer and she is too for her age but I have to say I was a bit surprised at how daring she had become. I knew we were safe so I decided to let her determine how far she was willing to go. Each time a wave would pass, she would let go of me and swim around alone until she saw a swell approaching again. It was amazing. I was in love with my daughter all over again and in complete awe of her self assurance. About the time I started to hear music in my head, we got blasted with a wave that churned us both under water. She burst into huge tears and it was time to get out. We were fine and she was done but oh boy what a lesson for me. Can I possibly ever be as brave as she is? Am I pushing my own limits of courage like this little three year old? If I’m not, how can I possibly become the role model that she needs to keep her stimulated? Oh, man, have I got my work cut out for me. I drove home thinking what a wonderful gift she is for my own personal development. Although I’ve read volumes about how children are our greatest teachers, I guess I got it on much deeper level today. Thanks for the lesson, Miss Mermaid.
4 Responses to “Everyday, I understand the gift of a child a little more clearly”
Please Wait
This story reminds me of a chapter in “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten” entitled “Giants, Wizards and Dwarfs.” An amazing little girl, much like your daughter I’m sure, demands that she must know where she should stand as she is a mermaid and simply does not fit into the pigeonhole society make have created for her. Thanks for sharing something personal. I will be braver today as well.
Angie,
Thankyoufor sharing such a great post with a powerful reminder about all the lessons and gifts that our children have to offer us each and every day. I look forward to your next 25 posts!
Amy
Amy Miyamoto
Helping Busy Moms Create Healthy Families
http://www.shaklee.net/empoweredliving
On Facebook http://profile.to/amymiyamoto
On Twitter @amymiyamoto
Thank you for the post today, Angie! I had a similar experience with my youngest yesterday. He’s going into Kindergarten in the fall, but before I could finalize the paperwork, he needed to get up-to-date on his immunizations. I sit him down on my lap, and the nurse said I had to hold him very tight as 5-year-olds tend not to like getting shots. But, amazingly, he sat there, didn’t cry, didn’t squirm, didn’t even make a single sound as each shot went in – one by one – 5 in all. By the end, the nurse and I just looked at each other, open mouthed – ready to cry ourselves, and all he did was get up and walk out the door to his big brother.
Thank you for sharing, Angie. Children really are our greatest teachers.
Rachel Pradhan
http://www.indramarketing.com
http://www.blazeinteractive.com
Just a note for you Angie….you are More brave than your daughter. At this age our little ones are blessed with a little ignorance about life. They have no “real” idea about getting knocked down (by waves or just by life). You however knew exactly what you were in for, but you walked into the waves anyway. I too treasure Bella’s innocence and I work to make the lessons she has to learn in life (most recently, losing her grandmother) only as tough as they have to be. And I too try to use her fearlessness to my advantage. As ridiculous as it is, an example of this can be found in my decision to ride the flying Elmo ride at Sea World with her. I promised her it didn’t have to go high since she was afraid. When I promised, I was glad to do it. Because, I too was a little afraid. Heights aren’t my strong suit. But, as soon as she had me captive on the Elmo knight, she pulled the lever back as far as it would go and never let up for a second. Anyway, I think all of my rambling is my way of saying I appreciate that Bella makes me face my fears while she herself is still to young to be scared. It is amazing how kids can do that.