We were having our windows cleaned one afternoon. My children were captivated by these men on ladders with spray bottles. It made for hours of entertainment. Midway through, my M took a break from watching to go sit at her little table and work. She spends so much time at her table creating cards, books, notes, drawings, etc. She returned awhile later and proudly held up a card. “It’s for the men!” she said. We talked about how hard she had worked and how much they would appreciate such a sweet card. I told her we would give it to them as soon as they were finished, and we went on about our afternoon.

You can imagine that a million and one things had popped up since M had made her card. I made my way through the afternoon juggling as always. Every now and then M would pop by and ask me when the men were going to be finished. I would answer her rather absentmindedly placating her as best I could. “Soon….whenever they are finished….not much longer…..etc.” Her questions about their end time became more insistent and more demanding. I kept wondering why she was so focused on when the window washers would be finished. Finally, I asked her why she kept asking me when they would be finished.

“Because,” she answered. I want to give them my card.”

Of course. The card. I had literally forgotten all about it. She just wanted to deliver her card, the card she had worked on so painstakingly to complete.

Her response was a hit the brakes moment for me. Here we were existing in the same room all afternoon, but we could not have been on more different pages. I was focused on taking care of the children, the house, dinner, and all the other things that pop up during a mother’s waking hours. I had no idea how focused she was on delivering the card. In fact, I had forgotten all about it. It’s kind of amazing how we can walk hand in hand, side by side with our children moving through life together and still not always understand them. In that moment she reminded me what a tender little world she lives in. It really is about lollipops and rainbows for her and sharing those lollipops and rainbows with others.

I am so glad she is mine.

Find the joy~

Jessica

**Jessica McCauley, M.Ed. is a parenting coach/consultant. She draws on her background as a Montessori educator and Child Life Specialist to help families navigate the challenges of the early childhood years. Contact Jessica at [email protected] for more information or to schedule a consultation.