Sympathy.

Again, too long has passed since my last post. Maybe some of you are thinking, now she has a 2 year old-- not learning as many lessons, but oh quite the contrary.

Lessons come daily.

Lessons come in ways not expected.

Lessons come and I hope I can learn them.

My sweet Nixon is a two-year-old, has his two-year-old moments, but more importantly has his many moments that stun me with wisdom beyond his age. Or is it that we have wisdom at a young age, lose it, and spend life grasping any of it that we can?

It seems this time I have a lesson to learn in sympathy.

Nixon just started last week consoling me. I don't know where he came up with it or if he feels a certain vibe I am putting off. But four times in the last week my little boy looks into my eyes, comes close, gently strokes my cheeks, and utters the most simple yet soothing words...

"Mama, it'd be ok. Daddy's at work, but Nixon here. It'd be ok mama."

I truly have been missing my hubby of late. It seems work, school, church callings, family gatherings, or whatever it may be has left me craving more than just 10 or 20 minutes of hurried conversations to keep updated on the day and then off to the next thing. However, he graduates in ONE WEEK! Can't wait! And it seems my little boy can sense this. And not only does he sense it, but he knows exactly what to say to soothe an aching heart. And I am oh so glad, "Nixon [is] here."

How simply incredible would it be if we could tap into this sense of aching hearts... and offer simple, soothing words coupled with lots of love to heal, support, uplift, and encourage.

So that is the challenge. Maybe search a little deeper and find that aching heart, and offer simple, soothing words coupled with lots of love to heal, support, uplift, and encourage!

sympathy.

My little Nixon is very tender hearted. Anytime he sees or hears someone crying, he looks at them intently and asks, "he sad?" And he will proceed with a bout of fake crying himself. He does this especially when other children are crying. His reaction to others sadness amazes me because I feel he sympathizes with them and wants to help them through their struggle.

As I thought about how sweet and sympathetic he is, I came up with the new challenge of finding someone who is struggling with any type of hardship right now. It could be ailing health, stresses with money, loneliness, etc. Keep your eyes and hearts open to an understanding of something that they need, and do it! If you do not know of someone who is struggling, you could find someone at the grocery store, walking on the street, or at work. Even if your act of sympathy is as simple as complimenting someone you don't know, keep your heart open.

Feel free to post comments of ideas you have of acts of sympathy.

GOOD LUCK!