Sweet moment

Sweetest moment of my day...
Sweet little R., a new member to our class was crying at the start of nap time. She has done such a great job of meshing with the class. Just jumped right in and became a part of the group. She entertains the teachers with her very adult-like interactions, but doesn't seem to struggle to interact with the other children. But, nap time had her sad, missing her mommy. She was so precious, laying in her sleeping bag, with the covers pulled up right to her chin. When I saw her tears, I sat down on the floor next to her. I asked her if I could sit with her for awhile.

She nodded her little head, with tears streaming down her face. I reassured her that her mommy would be back. Then I wiped the tears from her eyes, and brushed the hair off her forehead. I whispered to her, "I think you are so brave.". I was struck in that moment how quickly we go from honoring the bravery of a young child who is strong enough to separate from her mommy for a few hours each day, to thinking that such sentimentality is a weakness. As years go on, we interpret this sadness from separation a flaw, or a deficit.

I understand why this is the case. At 38, if I were crying every time I left my family members, I would have puffy, swollen eyes, 24/7. I would be crying all the time. I don't always get to have the people who make me feel safe and secure by my side. The sheer fact that we don't live near family eliminates the possibility. Then there are those who have made the choice for me, to not be a part of my life, or the life of my family. The weight of those losses is heavy and brings on its own flood of tears. But, I think about that beautiful baby girl, crying as my hand moved the wisps of hair from her eyes, and I realized that God was using her to touch my heart. This tender moment made me remember what it's like to need and to be needed.

I loved telling her how brave and strong she was. It was a peaceful exchange consisting of sadness and great connection. How hard it is to suffer in silence, as this little one was trying to do. When God gives me moments to see the pain of those around me, I am so thankful. Because, He reminds me in these moments how we all try to hide our tears by pulling the covers over our eyes. Secretly, hoping and praying someone will notice and tend to the brokenness we can't even articulate with words. Today, I had my heart tended to by seeing the strength of R. She reminded me of the power and energy it takes to make it through a terrain of unknowns, which is life.