the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty." ~Maya Angelou
We gazed out her living room window as she rattled off the various birds that were flying by. She was accessorized with a darling striped shirt that read 'Cutie' and a frog necklace and matching bracelet. Her clothes were as colorful as her personality. Her long hair trailed down her back and her giggle echoed off the walls of her home. She easily moved throughout her home in search of the simplest treasures.
I found myself simply staring at her, trying to remember what it felt like to be a 'little person' again. Her whimsy was priceless, her enthusiasm contagious, and her smile spread as bright as the sun. Her confidence resounded in our conversation about birds.
She ran through the differences between male and female cardinals, the wing span of a sea hawk, and the markings of a yellow finch. I'm pretty sure I missed this class in grade school, let alone college! Every fact she shared with me, she backed up with various examples and lots of joy. I find myself chuckling as I think back to this time with her.
One of my favorite comments was when she asked me if I liked bees, and I replied that I liked them from a distance when they were pollinating flowers. She agreed that bees were better at a distance. She thought ants were a safe bet, and she remarked that she'd never held an ant before. As soon as she shared that fact, she also mentioned that she'd never held a butterfly before. She was thrilled with this concept of holding a butterfly and mentioned it several times.
Her animation towards life was a beautiful reminder to be engaged and to always stand in awe of our teachers. Teachers show up in our lives to help us grow, to support our present moment awareness, to guide us towards our bliss, to comfort us when we lose our way, and to love us for the simple joy of loving.
Today, this little girl was my teacher. Her playfulness, honesty, and inquisitiveness left my heart feeling very tender. We are all metaphorically turning into gorgeous butterfly's but sometimes we forget the changes that we have had to undergo. As our lives morph, our bodies change, and our hearts rebound from living; may we find a tender spot for the teachers that show up along the way. They may be snacking on toasted cheese and jelly beans, but you can be sure that they are extraordinarily connected and beautiful.
May You Sweetly Seek:)
In Gratitude,
Sarah