Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Timing is everything

Yesterday I took Liv to visit my grandfather for lunch. These days, he's so weak that he's only awake for meal times. Anyway... the last time we had been there, a woman came to our door. She said that her husbad was in the room caddy-cornered across the hall and could hear Liv talking and laughing. I immediately apologized for the noise, but she said that it was not a problem at all. Her husband loved little kids and had been enjoying listening to Liv's little voice, and had sent his wife across the hall to meet the little girl that he had been hearing.

We ended up going across the hall for a quick little visit with her husband and to introduce Olivia to him. Let me tell you, my little girl made me so proud. She isn't phased in the least by the fact that he's old, or frail, or talks slow. Instead, she just sweetly stands in front of him and tells him, "My name is Olivia. I'm 4," and then talks to him about what she was playing in the room across the hall. It was a really sweet visit to a complete stranger.

Fast forward to today. It's just a little over a week later and I've brought her up there to see my grandfather again. As we were walking down the hall to my grandfather's room, I peeked in the room caddy-cornered across the hall. I expected to see the old man sitting on his bed, or in a chair, but the room was completely empty and someone was in there doing a deep cleaning on the room.

He had died less than a week after Liv's little visit. I never caught his name or really had any kind of long conversation with him, but I am oh, so proud that my little girl could bring him joy in those last few days of his life. It really kind of underlined to me also that sometimes the smallest of favors on our part can be the hugest of blessings to others. You never know when that time will be, or if you'll have a second chance at it. All you can really do is look for the situations when you can provide simple human contact or small kindnesses, and take them as the opportunities they are.

9 comments:

T.Allen said...

What a touching story. I just wrote about the inspiration that can be found in the reckless abandon of a child. I wish i knew what happens to us as we get older, at what point do all of the walls come up, y'know the ones that keep us from walking into a room with a self-assured smile and saying, "Hi my name is Tameka. I'm 35." Kids rock!

BTW-don't tell anyone I told you my real age :D

Lisa_in_AR said...

Kids never cease to amaze me. They can be so wild, carefree, and crazy in one moment. The next minute, they are the old soul---seeing our pain, even when we think we're hiding it well, and jumping in to comfort the adult. Liv's such a sweetie, a tribute to her upbringing.

Unknown said...

Wow, Anne, this is a blog post to remember. They really are little blessings, aren't they?

Denise Felton said...

That story gave me tears. I'm proud of Livvie for spreading the love. And I'm proud of you for being so generous with your wee one.

Anonymous said...

Your post really touched my heart this morning. So many people wouldn't have taken the time that you and your daughter did just to say hello, let alone visit for a few minutes. What a blessing you are!

idyll hands said...

What a sweet, sweet story. This will be one to keep in her memory book for when she's older.

Anonymous said...

So lovely Anne, well said :)

Stacie Hoo said...

Life's little blessings add so much to the quality of our lives, don't they? I'm sure those moments of comfort and joy you and Liv shared with others will come back to you now in your time of need. Sending you love, hugs, gentle thoughts, and prayers!

Junque Rethunque said...

So sweet!! My girls used to be this sweet. Keep this close so that you can read it when you want to disown her in her teens. :)