In our little jaunts to the local playgrounds, I’ve met some lovely mums. One lady in particular, who also has identical twins (girls) along with her eldest, a 4 year old, Miss P.
After much SMS ping pong and failed attempts to meet up, we finally managed to get together for an ANZAC Day BBQ.
Yeah, can you imagine ? 5 kids – a 4 year old girl and 2 sets of twins at the age of 2.
What were we thinking ???
But we had an awesome time especially as Miss P became firm friends with the twinlets.
The other day, we bumped into them at the playground. As if no time had past since the BBQ, all 5 children instantly played happily together. The entire time, Miss P – the ever protective older sister – not only paid close guarded attention on her twin siblings but also our boys.
When it was time to go, the boys kept waving to her while repeating, “Bai bai, P…Bai bai P…”
Knowing that they don’t do this for everybody, the extra effort in the goodbye was showing special affection for their friend.
Opening the gate for us to leave, I suddenly noticed Miss P chasing behind me. Unable to open the childproof lock, her little face was squashed against the steel bars, tears rolling down her eyes.
Only seconds earlier she was smiling away at the boys.
“Train…boy has them. The boys’ train…He won’t give it back…” she sobbed.
Completely confused, I couldn’t decipher what she was trying to tell me. Yet, I couldn’t disregard her genuine distress.
Miss P grabbed my hand and dragged me over to a group of mum and toddlers, where one little boy in particular was holding one of the twinlet’s toy trains.
Then, it all made sense.
I politely explained the situation to the boy’s mum, who in turn, gently persuaded her son to hand back the train.
While giving me a warm hug, I thanked Miss P for being so kind and thoughtful. Her sobs soon subsided.
This little girl’s deep concern for others touched me.
Wouldn’t it be something if we could always put our own interests aside to fight for what other’s hold sacred ?
Have an earnest intention to see others happier than ourselves, without judgement and assumptions.
A 4 year old inadvertently showed me that true humanity surpasses simple good will or mere selflessness.
It’s the courage to reach out and actively stop whatever hurts our neighbour. Not just our closest and dearest.
To know that it’s in our own capacity and potential to create a better, safer, more comfortable world for them.
It took a 4 year old to remind me.
Whether your own or someone else’s, what lessons of life have children taught you lately ?
Joining Jess and the gang for this week’s IBOT. See ya there…
I love the genuine innocence and humanity of little kids. My Small Child constantly reminds me about the little things in life. I can get so caught up with linking all my happiness to success in work, study and being a “good” Mum, wife and friend. She reminds me that jumping in a puddle or demolishing a chocolate biscuit in 0.47 seconds can be tasks full of joy! She helps me get over myself!
MsMandie recently posted..When One Is Enough
That’s gorgeous! It wasn’t until I got married and had children that I truly understood that life was about the little things.
Demolishing a chocolate biscuit in record time and jumping puddles are moments I would truly treasure too !
This is a beautiful post and experience. I think one of the best things about being a mum, for me, is to just appreciate the simple joys. I love the children’s innocence and that even a simple funny face or playing with bubbles can bring them endless giggles! It’s sad to know that just because of some life experiences.. We become jaded and start to lose that innocence.
Ai Sakura recently posted..He Makes: Beads by Dr Dru
It is sad how we become jaded, isn’t it ? I love how my boys remind me the beauty of innocence. They’ve recently learned how to say, “Where are you?” after playing hide and seek with their cousin. Hearing them say it just melts my heart…
oh this was just beautiful… honestly beautiful. i love the innocence of children, that they dont know the ‘rules’ or ‘conditions’ of society or that which we place on ourselves.
#teamIBOT
lyndal recently posted..only thing on my mind
That’s exactly it,Lyndal! They don’t know the rules or protocols on all this conditioned behaviour we’ve learnt to accept as adults.
They still have all this fiery enthusiasm and an endless pot of emotion. Love it!
What a beautiful story and lesson. Children are simply amazing, if only ‘life’ didn’t change these things.
Becky from BeckyandJames.com recently posted..How Moving Led to me Talking to Myself
Yes, I wish life and aspects of this world didn’t let us drift apart from the important aspects of humanity and kindness.
Thats adorable. Kids know no difference. they are amazing in their ability to adapt to new people and surroundings. They do teach us just as much as we teach them. And they remind us of certain things.
salz recently posted..I am that mother
Aren’t kids so adaptable ? And you’re right. They’re ability to see no difference but just to show their emotions completely is truly amazing.
Such a lovely post. That sort of kindness and protectiveness, while ingrained in us, is enhanced by great parents. The twins are lucky to have her looking out for them, a great friend.
Nat – Muddy Farmwife recently posted..Feeling the Pressure
Yes, Miss P is definitely raised by a beautiful family. We feel very blessed to have met them and it’s so beautiful to see the boys play with her. Truly magical.
Such a Beautiful post! x
Me N my Monkeys recently posted..Zhu Zhu Puppies pack Review and Giveaway!
Thank you! She’s a truly beautiful girl.
That courage in little kids, accompanied by an innate sense of justice is fierce isn’t it!
A gorgeous descriptive here…I could see Miss P’s scrunched up face in my head and sense her desperation to be understood!
What have I learnt from my kids lately? The importance of living in the moment and a playful nudge to take life less seriously.
kirri recently posted..Rockin’ Mamma Interview with Tamara Grand
Her courage really took me aback. I was left thinking about it for the rest of the day.
And,yes! Living in the moment! I have a completely separate post on that one.
Both Mr Surfer and the boys are doing a great job in teaching me how to take life a little less seriously 🙂
What a sweet, compassionate little girl. I am constantly amazed at the lessons kids teach us. My kids have been teaching me enthusiasm lately – just their sheer joy and passion for everything ignites something inside me and encourages me to do the same.
Debbie @ Aspiring Mum recently posted..Self-Belief and Words
Isn’t it lovely how their energy and enthusiasm can rub off onto you. You may be completely sleep deprived and in dire need of a coffee but seeing them happy, jumpy, laughing…it’s so infectious.
Grace, this was just beautiful! What a fantastic life lesson to learn from that lovely little girl! We would all be a lot better people of we put the needs of others before our own!
Also, as an aside, this is the first time I have visited your blog from the MacBook. (I use the iPad for most things.) I love your background!
jess recently posted..Call me Coach
Thanks, Jess! Yeah, the pattern is taken from a batik print I had on my wedding dress. Glad you like it 🙂
And I agree…how much happier would this world be if we took a chapter from Miss P’s book of putting others before ourselves. x
Children never stop to amaze me how much compassion they have for others… despite the general belief that they are selfish and self-centred.
Now that you’ve got some practice, you are welcome to look after my kids any time! (you know they don’t need much looking after)
Ha! How about we just do a swap ? I take your kids for an afternoon and you take mine. Or wait. Maybe we should just do another play date 😉
That is indeed a beautiful tale of ordinariness turning into the extraordinary. My grandkids remind me each week they are here of many things where I need to “stop” and listen & look more carefully. I’m at my most contented when I get to be an observer without them noticing much…and I hear the most wonderful conversations between Mr 4 and Miss 2. There is something pure about being 4. The 4 year old is morally right and cannot stand injustice but is not influenced as much as he/she soon will be when the big separation happens. School and other influences change this somewhat and as my hub says “such a shame when that happens”
But. life…it goes on.
Denyse xxx
Denyse Whelan.Education Specialist recently posted..Is N.A.P.L.A.N. now P.A.N.I.C. time?
For a minute there I thought you were talkinm about me, 4 year old and twin girls too… Anyhoo, that little girl is beautiful. Children always seem to remind of these things, it’s like they are a little more connected to the earth, to a happy social circle. It’s a shame it all seems to die when we grow up BUT it’s little things like your experieince that remind us to actively become that again. Lovely heart-warming post honey.
Penny recently posted..Would You Put Your Face on the Line?
Kids do teach us essential life lessons without them knowing it. What a touching post.
My daughter has taught me to just let go of all fear when we got on a theme park ride together a month ago. I was so scared, that she was the one consoling me 🙂
The Pepperrific Life recently posted..When Counting Sheep Doesn’t Count
Miss P sounds like a total sweetheart 🙂
Rhia recently posted..Beware- this post contains a taboo subject
Miss P sounds like my Miss M always making sure others are ok.. She is a true little mother
Mum’s the Word recently posted..Heating things Up on the Kitchen~ Easy Pumpkin Baked Risotto
Children can be the best role models
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