“Little” is nine-years-old but her soul is ancient. This is my deep, insightful thinker. My wise comforter. She was five when Mr. Virgo died and it was her sensitive, thought provoking wisdom that touched my heart more than all the comforting remarks put together. She’s spiritual and we talk about God and Jesus and heaven. We really “get” each other.
When I visit my family in Colorado, I make a special point of spending one full day with each of my grandchildren…one on one. I’m trying to instill in them the preference of experiences over stuff. When I asked “Little” what she wanted for Hanukkah and Christmas (we celebrate both in our family), she said she wanted to do something crafty. “Little” is a maker…just like me. I wasn’t at all sure what we would end up doing but I knew we had to start at the mall. After wandering around for a while…and enjoying a plate of traditional lemon crepes…we wandered into Williams-Sonoma, one of my all-time favorite stores. An idea began to grow. I found a set of American Girl cookbooks and an apron/oven-mitt set that she fell in love with. We added matching measuring cups, spoons, and a spatula and she came away with a respectable beginning of a cooking arsenal.
“Little” has ADHD and she brought it up in our quite lengthy conversation as we browsed. She described herself as “unique”. I love that. I told her I was unique as well and while I had never had a formal diagnosis, I’m sure I have ADHD. She looked up in awe.
“Really?!?!” she asked.
“Yes. When I was little they didn’t have the medicines to help like they have now. But I learned to compensate…just like you’re doing.” I don’t want her to ever feel “less than”. I don’t think I need to worry. She’s pretty amazing.
We sat out in the mall for a bit and browsed a cookbook and settled on Chicken Noodle Soup. After picking up the ingredients on the way home, “Little” and I made a huge pot of soup and cheese quesadillas. It was a big hit and “Little” had her moment to shine outside of the shadow of her older sister. It was beautiful.
These beautiful beings teach me more about life in three weeks than I get in the whole six months between visits and I love them beyond belief. ❤️
““See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
Matthew 18:10 NIV