Lesson Learned

Compassion.  How do you teach it?  My parents ensured, somehow, that I was steeped in it to the point that I cry at commercials if they're too "mushy."  I can't pass by an animal that appears lost, and I surely cannot stand to see anyone else cry. 

But I have always worried about how I could teach it to my own children...you know, the lesson BEYOND words.

God gave me an opportunity this weekend that still makes me smile...

We attended a swim party for one of my Little Hummingbird's schoolmates - silly sounding in an Oklahoma December but thank the Lord for the Salvation Army pool and its indoor steam spa...er...I mean...pool.

About half way into the party I noticed a girl who had been trying to communicate an insecurity to her mother about sliding into the pool only to be told to "quit being a baby and just do it."  I winced, but minded my own business.

A few minutes later, the girl emerged from the pool without sliding down that scary slide...so nervous she was chewing on her thumbnail and approached her mother again...again the mother berated her and when the girl turned to leave, the mom grabbed the little girl's arm and let her have another couple lines of venom...to which the girl shrieked and jumped in the pool...

Oh...what words to say!?  I know we all "have our days", but the times I remember so well are the ones that ended with some wise woman who approached me with gentle words of wisdom in some public place...some as simple as "It's hard to remember to cherish our children when they act that way, isn't it...?"  Gentle rebuke.  Sweet wisdom. 

Where were the words?...

And then I looked into the pool.  My Little Hummingbird, who was in between me and the little girl sobbing in the water, looked at me with a questioning frown...I could tell instantly what she was looking for - and my heart lept. 

I smiled, and nodded.  My Little Hummingbird slowly waded toward to girl and as she was about to put her hand on that shaking shoulder...she turned to look at me again - as if to ask, "like this?" 

And I smiled, and nodded again. 

My Little Hummingbird's hand lowered slowly and as soon as it touched, the girl turned and embraced my daughter, who stroked her hair and said words I couldn't hear.  And that little girl smiled through her hurt.

And I cried, out loud, in front of complete strangers when my Little Hummingbird turned to face me and gave me a "thumbs up" sign and grin.

Lesson learned...<sigh>...for both of us.

Onward and Forward!

My Favorite Things

I now have proof that this one-time city girl does, indeed, have a bit of "old-timey" in her.  Last week, I bartered (yes- BARTERED!!) with my favorite folk artist; she got some much wanted wood for those chilly nights we've been having.  In return, I got these...

...my own custom-made owl mugs to go with my new favorite tea!! I LOVE BARTERING!!  : }  And to show one of the many reasons why she's my favorite folk artist...tah-dah!!:



Not only is she talented...but she's witty too, making up her own verses for the backs!  I think she gave me a pair with the idea being that I have one to use and one to share...but...ha ha ha....that's just silly!  I'm thinking one for Monday, the other for Tuesday...I'll wash the other and use it on Wednesday, and then...

: } Nahh...just kidding!...sorta...

Onward and Forward!