I should act more like my toddler.
My daughter recently turned two and a half. We don't celebrate half birthdays, because you know that is a thing now?!? But it was an interesting moment to stop and pause, and really think about how surreal it felt, that our first born has now made two and a half trips around the sun.
If you have children, you know that you can literally see them growing right in front of your eyes. Each milestone they reach. Each new word they repeat. Each new trick they finally figure out on their own. Every moment is growth. People tell you not to blink and you don't. Instead you are staring in amazement, at every little thing that they are doing.
As she has grown, I have seen these amazing traits that she has. Her innocent and pure spirit, brings the most authentic smile to my face. Her sassy and headstrong moments make me bite my tongue in frustration. Her moments of sadness and fear make the mama bear growl inside of me.
There are qualities about her at two and a half that I notice and hope continue on throughout her life. These moments, in even in her toddler years, show me the kind of woman and human being I pray she becomes. But even more so she is a reminder of the woman and human being I should become.
She does not meet a stranger.
She smiles and greets every person she comes across. Even if they don't want to look her way or are too busy to say hello, she makes it a point to say "Hell-whoa... how are you?" How many times as adults do we stay isolated in our own bubbles, our heads down not wanting to make eye contact with others? Not these little people. They understand that it is so very important to recognize and connect with anyone they come into contact with, no matter their race, age, gender or status.
She is confident.
After putting on her favorite Minnie Mouse dress, she is so excited to run into our room to show Daddy, and then check herself out in the mirror. Narcissistic? Nah. Who doesn't like to feel their best in their favorite outfit and know they look good? How many times do we stand in front of the mirror picking ourselves apart, instead of giving it a twirl? Not these little people. They squeal with excitement to see themselves in the mirror.
She loves to share.
Oh my, how my girl loves to share. Whatever she has, she wants to make sure that you have some too. Whether it be her tater tots at dinner or her Buzz Lightyear toy that she just got. She wants to make sure everyone is included and feels a part. As an adult, sometimes its hard to share. What if I share my idea and someone steals it? My schedule is too important to share my time. Share what I have learned? No way I have worked too hard to do that. We have a hard time sharing.
She can pause to love.
It doesn't matter how busy she can get, she can always find a moment to give a "kiss and hug". She can always find a moment to squeeze my neck to say "so much" (her way of saying I love you so much). What if I took more moments in my day, to stop everything I was doing, just so I could reconnect? What if I stopped myself from frantically checking off my to-do list, in order to check in with someone who is hurting? What if I looked up from my schedule, so that I could sit down with my husband who longs for the girl who always held his hand?
These little people are so pure, so authentic, and completely understand what its like living in this present moment. Can we take a moment as adults to be reminded by our little ones?