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Our Best Spring Forward Beauty Truth

He perched on the black armchair, hanging off the right edge. His blonde head hung upside down, arms trailing the cream carpet.

“…and then I fought the boss…” Daniel’s words rippled on, describing video game adventures and I tried to pay attention.

Photo Credit: Flikr user T. Papadopoulos, Creative Commons cc license

Pinching lips shut and trying not to breathe, I shoveled and cleaned an odorous area of our laundry room. Pets were an affectionate part of life, with one Downside.

“Mom?” Daniel’s words broke in.

“You’re beautiful,” he said.

I stopped and glanced out through the laundry room doorway to where he was dangling off the armchair. He dimpled and held up three round fingers in the “I love you” hand signal.

Love flashed through me.

“Thank you!” I replied, surprised and touched.

I reflected ruefully on my black yoga pants, whisked-up-hair-do for around the house errands, and my wise-beyond-his-years son.

He saw the truth deep that I had missed.

True beauty glows best behind gentle loving hearts, behind hands that serve, and lives that breathe kindness.

Washing my hands later at the sink, I thought back over my day. I had been grumpy that morning, getting breakfast and helping family members into their days. It wasn’t until I had slowed down and talked to my God, that my heart had dropped its cantor.

Choosing to stop and savor, to linger in love, I had changed my attitude.

And from his upside-down perch, my son had watched it reverse my heart and home. 

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4 Comments

  1. Bill (cycleguy) on March 14, 2018 at 7:16 pm

    Well Jennifer. Since I have never met you I will take your son's word for it. 🙂 out of the mouth of babes and suddenly your day changes! Bottle him up and keep him young. Either that keep record of that day for when he is a teenager and doesn't speak at all. LOL Good to hear from you my internet friend. Hope you are doing well.

  2. Linda on March 15, 2018 at 3:09 pm

    Kids are so observant. 🙂 This is a moment to "treasure up" in your heart. Love from Camp JIM.

  3. Helen on March 15, 2018 at 6:47 pm

    Beautiful!

  4. Cheryl Barker on March 23, 2018 at 3:12 pm

    What a sweet memory — and great truth about true beauty. Blessings to you, Jennifer!

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