My granddaughter, Eva, is ten and a half going on thirty-two. She’s bright and full of life. She knows what she likes and what she doesn’t like. She isn’t afraid to share her thoughts. You may not always agree with what she has to say, but you can be sure that anything that she has to share is worth “the listen”.
She’s a talented girl with many interests: singing, dancing, softball, gymnastics, basketball, drawing, swimming, water skiing, magic, teaching school, and baking with her dad.
I spent the night with Eva, Brady and their mom, Lindsay, a week or so ago. (Dad was out-of-town.) When I got out of my morning shower, Eva made me a cup of coffee and a piece of toast and jelly. (Add short order cook to resume’.) We had a conversation about the possibility that Ruth and I might sell our home at the lake and look for a smaller house or condo in Michigan. While we were talking, Eva looked up a house on “Zillow” for us to buy. One of her selling points was, “It’s in my friend, Emily’s, subdivision and I could ride my bike over to visit you.” Now we can add “real estate consultant” to the list of her many talents.
A few days ago Eva invited me to join with others in editing a story that she is writing for school. It’s called “Playing In the Mud.” While the story does need editing, the lesson she offers is way beyond her years. She began her tale by asking…
Have you ever felt nervous and excited at the same time or felt like suddenly fireworks are going off? That has happened to me when playing in the mud and the thoughts of getting in trouble crossed my mind a thousand times. You finally realize it’s okay to get messy in your life because it wouldn’t be fun if no one did things that weren’t easy for them. So we can tell the stories , live the adventure, and learn the lessons of a lifetime. Sometimes all it takes is to step a little outside of your comfort zone.
I’ve had the feeling that she questions. I’ve been nervous and excited. I have felt like “fireworks were going off”. I expect that you have too. It’s a part of life. As Eva points out, it’s “okay to get messy” because that’s part of the fun of living life. Try new things. Explore. Do things that may not be easy. Life is a series of stories strung together that include a multitude of lessons. “Stepping outside of your comfort zone” adds excitement to the journey. The challenge for each of us is to live a good story.
While I have only chosen a portion of her story to share, Eva’s tale about playing in the mud includes her friend Natalee. She provides details to her adventure with her friend and the risks that the they embark on with each other. The excitement of trying something new outweighed the possibility that they might get in trouble.
If I hadn’t gone down to the creek, and hadn’t had Natalee over, I wouldn’t have learned that it is okay to get messy. I now know and it’s a great memory to hold on to for a lifetime. I’m so happy I did it. I hope you liked my story and learned along with me. Meanwhile, I still have a lot to learn. Lastly, I hope you remember it’s okay to get messy. Just remember, always have fun.
Risk taking is a part of life. My advice moving forward is to weigh the risk against the reward. Sitting still, and attempting nothing new, is indeed safer than taking the risk but as Eva points out, “getting messy” creates “great memories”. We all “still have a lot to learn” and we should “always have fun”.
Great advice from a young lady who’s wise beyond her years.