A few nights ago I video chatted with my brother and his family. My four-year-old niece, Claire, cracks me up. Over the past year, every time we video chat she says, “Auntie Lys, turn into to an apple.” Every time I reply with, “I’m sorry, Claire, I can’t turn into an apple.” To which she replies, “Well, what can you turn into?”
There was a twist during this chat because earlier Claire asked if I was fascinating. “Well, I like to think so,” I replied. “Are you fascinating, Claire?”
“No,” she giggled, “what does it mean?”
“Well, it means that you are interesting and people want to know more about you.”
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| Claire & Macie ~ September 2011 |
So when Claire asked me what I can turn into, I said, “I can’t really turn into anything. All I can be is me, but I’m fascinating.”
“You are beautiful, Auntie Lys. You are beautiful and bright.”
“Thank you very much. Claire, you are a beautiful, bright and very fascinating girl and I love you very much.”
Children repeat what they are told. I am incredibly thankful that my niece is being told that she is beautiful and bright and funny and fascinating, and, perhaps most importantly, that she is loved.
How different would we be if we were constantly affirmed with the words of who we really are? And, even more so, if we believed them?
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