Lessons from my 4-year-old niece
Harper, summer of 2024
The warmth in my heart contrasted with the cold of a December morning in Nebraska on that particular Monday. We had a long drive from my sister’s ranch house in the country to my niece’s preschool. She climbed into her car seat wearing little pink Minnie Mouse shoes. She gazed out the window, eating her plain waffle. Of course, we didn’t have time to eat before we left, and topping it with syrup would make for a very sticky girl.
As we drove, I was so captivated by our game of “eye spy” and her sweet little voice that I missed the turn for preschool, and it was the funniest thing to her. One lap around the block and we still managed to arrive early. I put the car in park and waited for her to unbuckle herself because Miss Independent didn’t want help. But boy, is she snail-slow compared to the hurried pace I’ve adopted in the latter half of my twenties.
I could learn a thing or two from her about pace. How much of life is relearning what once came so naturally and easily to us? If you’ve read my blog on patience, this fits the theme for the year.
We unloaded the car with the Minnie Mouse backpack to match her shoes. As we made our way inside, I watched her become more and more timid. She reached for my hand as we approached the hook for her coat and bag. We waited for her turn to be called into the classroom among a line of parents and their kiddos.
As we stood there, I was so glad to bring her here. Being an aunt is a high honor and gift I don’t take lightly, but rather receive with joy. I love her so much my heart could explode! The teacher called her name to enter the classroom. Before she was too far out of my sight, I said, “Harper, can I have a hug before you go?”
She gave me the sweetest grin, as if she was so excited I asked! She immediately turned around, and as I bent low to her level, she hugged me as big as her little arms could.
And just like that, she was off! I went to a nearby coffee shop that was ever so cozy for sipping a matcha latte and working remotely until she was done for the day.
The time went by quickly, project after project, and I eagerly returned to the preschool to pick up the little one who is so dear to my heart. I saw a crowd of parents, grandparents, and maybe some aunts like me waiting outside the door for their little people.
Our preschoolers came out one by one. As they found their coats and bags, I noticed a little girl hysterically upset with her mom, uttering through sobs, “But I wanted Mac & Cheese for lunch.”
I smiled because I know her sobs over what is or isn’t on the menu are ever so familiar in my sister’s house. Finally, it was my niece’s turn to go home, and she ran to me with a smile.
I scooped her into my arms as if I hadn’t seen her for the longest time. It might be a little extravagant for another day at preschool pickup, but what if we chose to be excited to see the ones we love every single day? What if we loved so big that it changed the world for the ones we love most? And it changed the watching world, too?
Showing up with a big hug, words of encouragement, and a posture of gratitude that says, “I get to do this today,” are simple acts that don’t cost much and have the potential to create a massive impact. Like a pebble in a pond, your actions have a ripple effect on strangers you pass by, as well as those you love.
Your challenge: love big this week.