(originally written 04/18/09)
My granddaughter, Gabby, was visiting earlier this week and quickly made her way to my home office workspace. I didn’t give it much thought since it’s something she loves to do when she comes over…play at my desk and rearrange all the “stuff.” The next time I sat at my desk to work, I noticed all of the paper clips were where they belonged, arranged by size and perfectly separated. I smiled. The pens, pencils, highlighters, etc., were all neatly organized, and of course, in color order. Again, I smiled when I thought of her sitting here, deep in thought, in her own little world, and perfectly content to be in my “space.”
She’s getting older now (almost 10), and I don’t worry as much anymore that she’ll disturb my mounds of paperwork, or disrupt my chaotic piles of notes, filing, books, etc. Truth is, I’ve gotten older too, and short of her having access to a shredder, there’s really nothing here that is all that darn important, or can’t be replaced. Come to think of it…I may buy a shredder.
Anyway, she did leave behind something that was not here before, and something I will treasure forever. Her handwritten words on a purple post-it note, neatly taped to my computer monitor. She didn’t just write the note and place it on my desk; since she’s apparently figured out I needed a better system by the obvious mess that was there already. No, she strategically placed it where I would see it every time I sit here…
Strong Words by Gabby M. : Truth, God, Love, Bless, Belief, Please, and Thank You
First of all, I love that she put the initial of her last name. That’s so I don’t confuse her with my other granddaughter I don’t have named Gabby. And I love that she drew a square around each word to draw more emphasis to each. In other words, pay attention!
I still have that sticky note. Each time I look at it, I think of my precious Gabby and my heart opens. I am reminded of how incredibly intuitive all children are, and I ask myself "have I acted upon those seven strong words today?"
