You’d never know this photo was taken moments after this growing-up-too-fast young man was ushered away for a “time out” resulting from a “misunderstanding” that prompted him to quite seriously say, “Papa Don, I don’t love you anymore. You’re not nice to me!”
The details of that misunderstand are really unimportant. What is important is this smile – his smile – and the opportunity it affords all of us to take a time out of our own and rethink how we love and all that hangs in the balance.
Once upon a time, we all loved like Jake:
forgave with ease;
reflexively handed out a seemingly endless supply of Second Chance Coupons;
had no problem saying we were sorry;
were honest and transparent in expressing our feelings without fear of judgment or rejection;
eagerly and enthusiastically doled out genuine hugs like they were Halloween candy;
were always willing to overlook our own (and others’) flaws and missteps without a second thought;
were indifferent to how we and others look;
spontaneously invited friends and strangers alike to play;
and lacked the capacity (or the desire) to carry around the baggage of past hurts.
I live in gratitude for many things, but near the top of that list is the living, breathing, daily reminder of what truly loving and letting love in are supposed to look like that is our now 5 year-old grandson, Jake.
I suspect there’s a “Jake” somewhere in your world too.
My wish for all of us today (and every day!) is that we’ll pay closer attention to the mystery and magic of their hearts.
Maybe the key to this Life thing is A LOT simpler than we think.
Maybe when it comes to living and loving, we need to stop adulting so much and remember what it was like to be, live, and love like a child.
donblackwell 