Walk With Me
Yesterday I went down to retrieve my kiddos from the cul-de-sac group play. I was talking with a neighbor and I looked down to see a car pull into the home next to mine (which is vacant and for sale.) A few moments later I see a woman I only recognize by site as the wife of the neighbor I met a few times right after our move and before theirs, I’ve never officially met her. But the interesting part is who is by her side talking with her. It’s my daughter.
She wasn’t just bugging her like a typical kid asking for something. She was conversing with her the same way she would with anyone her own age. I watched with a certain amount of envy at her ease and ability to create such comfort with people in a matter of moments. But this is one of her gifts - one that she’s had as early as I can remember. She is color blind to ages, race, religion, gender or any other definable difference that many of us are so quick to see. She knows no strangers, only friends she hasn’t met yet. She has an amazing glue-like quality that pulls people together. It began with her birthmother and me and it continues to permeate every aspect of her life and those she meets.
A few years ago, shortly after we moved back to AZ from ID, we were at a park with a new friend. This friend was special. She was at least 6 years older than my Cid and she had survived a brain tumor as a young girl. She and my daughter played very well together. As her mother and I visited we watched a marvelous site as my daughter went right over to a group of young boys at least a year or two younger than her. I watched with interest to see what happened, as did the other girl’s mother. In a matter of moments my daughter was directing a group game. She was insistent and persistent and the transformation was breathtaking. I teared up. The other girl’s mother was speechless and just watched transfixed. I quietly said, she amazes me the way she sees everyone the same way, she’s always been this way. With tear filled eyes the mother shared how wonderful it was to witness. My daughter has never forgotten to say a friendly hello to her or anyone else she’s met and knows.
Here I am back to the point of the teacher becoming the student. And all the while I’m in awe that I’m the one lucky enough to be called her mother.
Thanks Kelly for reminding of this amazing quality I witness every day!
Technorati Tags:
Family Sharing Emotions Potential Inspiration Relationships Motherhood
Like this article? 
there is always more to learn….and it can be taught by anyone at any age!
- Jon
- Daddy Detective
- http://www.daddydetective.com
Comment by Jon — October 17, 2006 @ 8:59 am
Thanks for stopping in and for commenting Jon, I agree 100%!!
Hugs,
Holly
Comment by holly.schwendiman — October 17, 2006 @ 9:18 am
Thanks Holly,
What a beautiful entry and so true!!
Our children always teach us the lessons we need to learn in this life!
Love Jayda
Comment by Jayda — October 17, 2006 @ 9:23 am
What a special gift your daughter has. And what a special gift she is to you also!
Comment by Stephanie — October 17, 2006 @ 2:29 pm
Wow. What an awe-inspiring daughter! A lucky mum, I must say to you. Thanks for the article. It always makes my day reading wonderful writings like this.
Comment by Peter — October 17, 2006 @ 3:50 pm
What a beautiful story! You have a very special daughter there. Thank you so much for participating again in Pass the Torch Tuesday, and sharing this excellent “proud moment”.
Kelly
Comment by Pass the Torch — October 17, 2006 @ 4:55 pm
Holly, what a wonderful daughter you have! It’s truly
a gift to have that kind of people skill from such a
young age. And I totally agree that we all learn from
our children. My 11-year-old and 8-year-old certainly
have taught me many lessons over the years.
Warmly,
Hueina
http://nurture-me-coach.blogspot.com
http://echoes-of-cold-moon.blogspot.com
Comment by Hueina — October 17, 2006 @ 7:06 pm
You are so right when you say that they teach us more than we teach them sometimes. We all need to remember that a little bit of color,age,gender,etc.. blindness is a good thing. THe world would be a lot nicer if we followed your daughter’s example.
Comment by kellys — October 18, 2006 @ 8:29 am
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Pingback by Thrifty Mommy » Kids will continue to teach parents on a daily basis. — October 18, 2006 @ 8:40 am
Holly,
My son Dane is exactly the same - in more ways than one! He has been described as one of th most compassionate children the teachers have met.
When he was allowed to play sport (he dislocates and has intra-ocular lens implants - congential cataracts), he was the one yelling encouragement, if he saw a child in distress he would help them - even if they were someone that had bullied him at school. When younger, he is 14 in Feb., if he saw a child being bullied at school he would feel their pain and come home crying.
When Dane see a disabled child, one with Downes Syndrome, cerebral palsy etc. he says “Mum he’s a special person”. He does not see the disability or difference,just the special qualities he can feel in the child.
Isn’t it wonderful that we can raise such special little human beings? I have to admit, he gets it from his Mum … he is me as a child. My emotional mirror image.
And doesn’t this go to show that children model themselves on their parents? Monkey see, Monkey do!
Comment by CoachJudie — October 19, 2006 @ 4:30 pm
Thats so lovely, now you have me filling up the tears ands it only 10am!
My daughters (Age 4) teacher told me yesterday that she has such a beautiful nature and has befriended a child with special needs, whom she minds, and waits for her to catch up (she can’t walk very well). The teacher was interested to know if she referred to her at all, which she has … she calls her the girl with the broken eyes. I asked her if she was different to other children at all, and she said ‘yes, but the same too’.
Comment by Rebecca — October 20, 2006 @ 1:51 am
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