BEING BIG

In the summer of 2011, I drove down to Buckroe Beach, Virginia. My companion was Alexis, my dear friend’s newly adopted daughter. Alexis was 3 yrs. old at that time.

The day was sunny, warm and glorious. Alexis sat very alert, in the backseat, secured by her carseat. I peeped at her often in the rearview mirror, as we chatted along the way. She was a blonde haired, blue eyed cherub, and I adored her. I excitedly told her all about the cool playground that sits right by the main waterfront and beach. In the midst of telling her about the different swings and climbing apparatus, she blew me away with a question.

“Are you big?”

Flabbergasted and amused, I stalled for time.

“What?”

She slowly and clearly repeated her question.

“Are...you... big?”

Did she take me for something like a ten-year-old, driving her to the beach? Her question struck me as funny but profound as well.

“Yes, but I have a child-like heart. That’s why I love to play with you.’’

“Oh.’’

She seemed satisfied with my response and shortly she was snoozing and slept nearly the rest of the way there.

At the beach the water was terrific, cresting into the sand in small,  steady waves. We stood in the shallow water and I would lift her up when a wave arrived so she'd not get spooked.

She had a blast and loved the water lightly splashing on us. We dug in the sand and tried out each play item in the playground.  It was a wonderful day and I vowed we would return next year and do it all again.

About a week later,  I thought of her question several times. It still struck me funny and always made me laugh.

I decided I had answered her well and prayed I would always have a child-like heart.

Then my thinking went further.

It felt like God was asking me a question.

“Well, how big are you?”

While considering the answer even more questions began storming my mind.

‘’Do you put yourself first or last? Do you think of the other person before yourself?  In the heat and turmoil of the moment, how long does it take you to make yourself last? Are you big enough to not gossip when it’s all around you?  Do you not make that cutting remark that hurts one person deeply while everyone else chuckles with laughter?"

‘If, perchance, you’re still coming up big,  how often are you big? Is it every day? All day? Twice a week? For five minutes,  here and there? Once a year?"

‘’So, are you big?’’

Needless to say, I've changed my answer since then to, ‘’I have to work on it...daily’’

Where would we be without 3-year-olds to set us straight?

Thank you, Alexis!

 

Peace Friends, I reprinted this story, in honor of Miss Alexis Clayton.  So let's all wish her a very special "Sweet Sixteen" Birthday, Monday, September 25th!

 

Charlotte Ann