The Saturday Journal: Learning

I watched as my youngest grandson scooped his net down deep into the sand–pulling up the heavy sand mixed with bits of broken shells, salt water, and seaweed–as seen at first glance.  My grandson–he shook out his net and as the water poured out through the tiny holes–he placed his little hand under the heaviness of the net and pushed what was left and then he began searching–not for shells or shark teeth–but for sand fleas. He’d pick them out from the net one by one–counting them as he released them back into their ocean home. 

He did this for the longest time–content.  

And it reminded me of the story of the starfish–where the little boy was throwing them back into the ocean–one at a time–saving one starfish at a time. 

There was this little girl–her tiny toes no bigger than a minute–her yellow hair kissed by the sun–her little pigtails on each side of her head were like sprouts–like miniature water fountains. 

I was looking for shells and not paying much mind–and this baby girl walked up to me–took my hand and started jabbering away.  Her Mom was close–she looked at me with a glow about her face. 

‘She’s never met a stranger, I’m sorry’, she said.   

‘Oh no, she’s perfectly fine!’ 

“Are you two years old?  And she held up two fingers--yes!

And this Mama’s sweet baby girl, she held my finger tight as her Mama and I talked a few more minutes. 

This little child was no stranger to my family as I learned–she had met my son on the beach earlier and she greeted him the same way. 

Reflecting on my short time with this sweet girl and on my four grandchildren–Thinking about the little girl--her joy--her friendliness--and then all the hard things each of my grandchildren are doing–have been doing for years and then trying and learning new things…Swim. Dance. Martial Arts. Gymnastics. Being good students–good friends, reading, being creative, and more....

I sat down at my desk and wrote down a list of attributes I see in each of my grandchildren.

Tenacity

Enthusiasm

Determination

Grit

Bold

Optimistic

Forgiving

Brave

Committed

Resilient

Joyful 

Kind

Childlike Faith

Trust

And there are no words to describe how proud I am of each of them–how they work to achieve goals–use their God-given talents and gifts.  

Then there's the mirror--it flashes back at me. 

And the question I ask myself, what are you learning from your grandchildren–from other young people doing hard things–from the little girl at the beach?

Anything?  

Am I learning--anything?  

I am. I'm learning everything and the truth is--I want to be more like them.

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Thank you for your continued kindness in reading The Saturday Journal.

I am grateful for each of you--more than you will ever know.

 And I pray, the stories shared in this space will encourage you--

bring a smile or remembrance, and bless you in some small way.

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All stories copyright and owned by the author, Tathel Miller,

photographs copyright and owned by Tathel Miller,

unless otherwise credited to another photographer.

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