The Gift of Neighbors and the Wisdom of a Ten-Year-Old

It wouldn't be right to talk about today, without first retelling a story from yesterday. As we were pulling away from the house yesterday, my husband asked me, "Did you pull weeds in the front yard?" "Yeah, right," I commented with a smile. Yard work isn't my thing, and he and I both know it. "T!" he exclaimed. It was our neighbor across the street. "She had been pulling her weeds," my husband said, "and I joked with her that we could use some help over here when she was done, and she did it...." It was just like our neighbor to do that, she is always giving. We (my family) are close with our neighbors, who live across the street, S, the husband, is a good-humored and loyal friend to my husband and me, and his wife T(the weed puller), is truly an inspiration. She is a breast cancer survivor who is kind and giving, just a beautiful person to know. The example I give above is just a small example of how much they give to us. We had dinner at their house last night, and we presented T with a blanket that we had made as a family, to thank her for everything that she does for us. I hadn't planned on sharing the 29 days last night, but to my surprise, my daughter wanted to talk about it. Over a bucket of KFC, I teared up as my daughter started talking about her "gift" for the day. "I want to tell them about the 29 day challenge, Mommy." My daughter exclaimed. "Ok" I said hesitantly, (if you are a parent, you know the feeling of not knowing for sure what the babes will say in front of company.) "My gift today," my daughter said, before my neighbors could ask what 29 day challenge was, "was to wear a Kim Possible shirt for my friend, because the kids at school make fun of her because the only clothes she wears are Kim Possible and Princesses, and stuff...." "Oh, I said, you wore it to make your friend feel more comfortable?" I asked. "Yes," she said, "because nobody makes fun of me, and I wanted her to know that it was ok to wear it." For a moment I think everyone at the table, my husband, our neighbors, and me, all reflected on what it felt to be 10, in elementary school and to be teased and not feel like you fit in. "Wow, I said, I don't think I would have had the courage to do that, you have a lot of self-esteem, i'm proud of you for sticking up for your friend" "Thanks," she said, beaming, so proud of her gift. We all spent the next 15 minutes or so talking about the challenge, the book and what it means to be the change you wish to see in the world. This challenge is opening my eyes to what amazing people and love I have in my life. This child has most definitely taught me, more than I have taught her. ~Until next time friends~