Musings :: “I Like You” – Words that Heal

Last week, really this whole month has been so crazy for us as I am sure it has been for most families.  It seems like we have been going from one event to the next.  I was telling my husband last week that most of the moms I see and talk to at drop-off look like they are feeling the stress of the holidays as well.  Tis the season I guess!  But among all this hustle and bustle, my daughter did something that made me stop and think about what the holidays are really about.  They shouldn’t be about being too stressed to enjoy this season of joy and hope.  I know I got caught up with everything and ended up sick all this week so I know I let the stress of doing too much get to me.  My body decided I was going to take break whether I wanted to or not.

But getting back to something my sweet and kind little girl did last weekend that provided the reminder I needed.  On Saturday, we were rushing around getting ready to head off to the Orange County Ronald McDonald House 2nd Annual Toy Drive.  I am working with the company who is helping to get the word out about the work they do and the toy drive and misunderstood that this was going to be an event that the families staying in the house would attend.  I had images of seeing Ronald himself handing out balloons!  As we were getting ready, I told my daughter that we were going to bring some of my books and toys to some children who are not feeling well and staying in the Ronald McDonald House that is near the hospital they go to.  She looked at me, not saying a word, and just nodded her head.  I could tell she was digesting what I was telling her – and I wasn’t sure how much I should tell her about the children and the tough battle they and their families are fighting.  It really doesn’t get more frightening for a parent than that in life.

As I was picking up in the kitchen and grabbing some snacks, I looked over at her and saw that she was writing something down on a gift tag we had leftover from our #GivingTuesday event.  I didn’t think much of it and hurried her out the door as I thought we were late to drop off the toys.  When we got there, I understood that it really was a drop-off Toy Drive and spoke to the person in charge of the drive for a bit.  She was kind enough to give us a tour of the house as most of the families were at CHOC hospital.  Kate wanted to give her fish-tail Rainbow Loom bracelet to one of the kids there and was sad that she couldn’t give it to them directly.  I told her we would send some over after the holidays and she perked up.

It wasn’t until the next day when I was doing laundry and pulled the tag from her back pocket and  saw that she had written down the words “I Like You” with little hearts and the peace sign around it.  Her plan it appears, was to give it to one of the kids she met at the event. It seriously brought tears to my eyes.  Of all the things she could have written down to give to another child – she chose those words.  Simple, yet healing words all the same. In all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, my seven year old got it.  Got that the holidays should be about telling and showing our friends and family that we like them – just as they are.  To take a few moments to write a personal note on a holiday card, to call and meet up with those you care about.  To accept people as they are and to show and tell them that you care.  Don’t we all long to be heard and seen and feel that we are liked?  I was so thankful for this lesson from my daughter – this reminder about what all of us are seeking to hear from those around us – that we are liked – just as we are.

Have a wonderful holiday and remember to say (and show) these words “I Like You” to those in your life.