Defunkified by Grasshoppers

Children will not remember you for the material

things you provided but for the feeling

that you cherished them. 

~ Richard L. Evans

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I love kids!  There is nothing more beautiful, loving and completely ready to soak up the world.  It's no secret that I love the funny things they say as they are trying to discover the world.  I feel like I should carry a notepad so I don't forget the spur-of-the-moment phrases that come out of their mouths.  Hey, I'm always looking for good material! 

One of my life goals was to write a book.  I didn't think it would be a children's book, but I like to say that I happened to be, quite literally, in the right place at the right time.  It seems that was so long ago.  It was at a time there was no thought of a second daughter of the year.  We were simply basking in the glory of having survived the terrible twos.  I think the most exciting part was knowing I was doing this project with a good friend and that we were exposing many kids to something we loved.  How awesome is that?!?!

I received a call last week from the daycare both of my children have attended.  The week's theme was authors and they wanted to know if I would visit.  Although I wrote that book some time ago, I would never turn down a chance to help this wonderful place who has done such amazing things for my children.  

Daughter of the year #1 and I arrived today, book in hand, ready to talk about being an author.  I still giggle as I type the word.  I'm just a normal person, certainly not famous by any means, which is what I tend to think when I hear the word author.  I am simply just...me.  

I sat down, engaged the kids and started reading.  I've read that book so many times, I'm not sure why I even have to look at the pages anymore.  I then pulled out my computer and talked about how the illustrations were drawn on a computer instead of paper.  Yep, THAT was the cool part (I knew it would be)!  I then allowed time for questions which really just turned into what each of them was being for Halloween, that they were going to the library next, and that their mommy reads them books.  

With that last statement, the door opened and I walked right in.  Daughter of the year #1, sitting across the room, I swore winked at me.  Did I really see that?  Was this a secret granting of permission from her?  Was she saying, it's OK mom, do it! 

"Mommies are special people, aren't they?" I asked.  I received an emphatic, yes.  Ha, I had their attention now.  

Before I could stop myself, I asked a favor of those beautiful children.  "When you go home tonight," I said, "will you tell your mommy how special she is?"  Another enthusiastic yes. 

Now, I'm not sure how many of them actually did it and I prefer not to know.  Even if just one went home and told their mommy or even their daddy, how special they are well then, I did more than an author could do that day. 

And with that, the fog I felt I'd been in for days lifted and was gone.  I felt pure joy and happiness to be spending a little of my morning with those kids.  Daughter of the year smiled at me in a knowing way, like she'd orchestrated this whole moment.  I had been, for lack of any other word, defunkified.  Better yet, defunkified by grasshoppers. 

It was a brief visit, but I was blessed to spend a small part of my day with these kids, who I hope never forget how amazing they are.  We got in the car, both of us smiling ear to ear, to begin the day daughter of the year and I were spending together.  

"Hey mom," she said from the backseat.  "Never forget how special you are." 

When I arrived to pick up daughter of the year #2, there was a large poster in her cubby.  I unrolled it to find the poster in the photograph.  Don't worry grasshoppers, I'll never forget how special I am as long as you don't forget how amazing you are.  I will cherish this day forever!