One morning, during my daily stroll, memories of my father flooded my mind. I’m not sure why, but I was remembering all of the good times we shared and all of the lessons he taught me. I basked in the beauty of how he made me feel. Safe. Loved. Important. Special. Protected. And then a particular incident came to mind...
I must have been about five years old, and I was playing in the backyard of a neighborhood friend. There were several kids there and then, for some reason, they began teasing me. They told me that my eyes were as big as windows. I was horrified! It was almost as if they were cursing me out. What 5-year-old wants to think that her eyes resemble windows?!
I remember running home in tears. I told my father what happened, and I remember him consoling me. He then went with me to confront these bullies. And that's where the memory ends.
I have no idea what my father said to them or how they reacted or even how I reacted at the time. I just remember that he came to my rescue and made things better. And that felt like love.
It reminds me of the saying often attributed to Maya Angelou:
"People will forget what you said, but they'll never forget how you made them feel."
Today, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s make someone feel safe, loved, important, special. and protected. We just never know the difference we could be making in their lives.
And, listen, don’t forget to extend this same loving kindness to yourself. You’re certainly worth it, too!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
I must have been about five years old, and I was playing in the backyard of a neighborhood friend. There were several kids there and then, for some reason, they began teasing me. They told me that my eyes were as big as windows. I was horrified! It was almost as if they were cursing me out. What 5-year-old wants to think that her eyes resemble windows?!
I remember running home in tears. I told my father what happened, and I remember him consoling me. He then went with me to confront these bullies. And that's where the memory ends.
I have no idea what my father said to them or how they reacted or even how I reacted at the time. I just remember that he came to my rescue and made things better. And that felt like love.
It reminds me of the saying often attributed to Maya Angelou:
"People will forget what you said, but they'll never forget how you made them feel."
Today, as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s make someone feel safe, loved, important, special. and protected. We just never know the difference we could be making in their lives.
And, listen, don’t forget to extend this same loving kindness to yourself. You’re certainly worth it, too!
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
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