Smiles and Tears

Neeta Gupta, IUEf Educator for Pooma Educational Trust.

When I look weeds growing in my yard, I fear that they are going to take over my yard. My kids see flowers and blow fluff, and wish on it.

When I see an old drunk man smiling at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away. My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm, so I sit and listen. My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk. My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say grant me this, give me that. My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for everything. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet, as I will miss my Mom and Dad."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets. My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach them, or to learn from them? 

Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
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