It's Not All About Her

"I've learned that you should always take time to answer little children when they ask 'why?'"

"Mom, why didja' throw away the picture I made you?"

You'd think after having four children, I would know that you only dispose of their artwork under the cover of night--and by driving three blocks over and sneaking it into someone else's trash can.

"Christa, I can't keep all the beautiful pictures you draw for me."

There. I'd try a little reasoning with a tiny dose of flattery.

"Sure you can, Mom. You keep them all. Then I grow up and I have kids. And they keep all my pictures. And then their kids keep them. And then their kids keep them."

Well, she certainly had a plan. I didn't bother to inform Christa she would one day be dealing with piles and piles of her own children's artwork. I just muttered under my breath, "Honey, it isn't all about you."

Christa doesn't realize that yet. As she grows up, life will teach her that the world truly doesn't revolve around her. Her world will expand beyond herself to others. I hope she looks beyond whatever beauty she brings to the world--and enjoys the beauty others bring to it.