My Biggest Little Teacher (BLT) has a love and a flair for art in all arenas. Today, for the first time she actually used a suggestion I threw out regarding a piece of art she was working on… well, if you consider decorating a brand new hairbrush “art”. She felt that her ornate “J” looked more like an “S”, and I suggested a small change to the tail of the “J”. A few minutes later I heard her say out loud from the back seat, “Thanks for the suggestion.” I was a bit shocked and asked, “So you used my idea?” She said “yes” and went back to what she was doing.
I thought for a moment and in an audible conversation with myself said, “Well, I bet I could suggest anything to you and you could make it beautiful. The only beautiful thing I’ve ever made was you.” I could see her smile in the rear view mirror. I continued, “Well, I didn’t do it on my own, God did most of the work.” She responded quickly, “You are still creating beauty.” “Huh?” I said dumbfounded. “Mom, you are still creating beauty.” I asked “How?” She said, “You teach me to be a better person, that is beauty.” I hear her words and want to cry. In my most humble of tones I tell her, “I hope that is what I do. I try to be the best guide I can be.” She senses I’m getting teary and says, “Well, it can be fun too. It doesn’t have to always be so serious.” Ah-ha! The big reminder! So we talked about life being both fun and serious, and if it were serious or fun all the time, life would not be very well-rounded. She nodded her head and went back to her hair brush art.
Sometimes I wonder how the heck she figures these things out at age 9, and then I remember how most kids these days have this brilliant clarity and knowing that seems so grown up for such little bodies. I love taking time to listen to the children, as they are the genuine keepers of truth and knowledge!
