Beauty Through my Daughter's Eyes

My little girl sees things differently than I do. She looks at people and doesn't notice weight or symmetry or age or things I've been trained to see, but focuses directly on their smile and how they can connect with her. Those who take the time to talk to her and show her they care get a special title.

She thinks those people are "beautiful."

This goes for women and men alike. The older gentleman who always stops to shake her hand at church is "such a nice man! I like to shake his hand!" Our neighbor who stops feeding her chickens to talk to her is "beautiful!" Age has no bearing, she only sees if people care or not.

I know that from a young age you are shaped by people in your environment and their actions. This impacts me in two ways.
First, it helps me know how children view me and how little things I do can be so big in their eyes.
Second, it helps me realize how I am thankful that my daughter can find beauty in people who might otherwise be overlooked. I hope that one day this will go from seeing beauty in others to developing it in herself and passing it on.

This whole move to Guatemala has got me thinking about things.  You know, I’m a guy, and some things that are important those of the female persuasion who I generally find personally advantageous to keep in a positive state of mind do not have the same significance for me.  That’s not to say, though, that things are bad.  Reminders of experiences, people, or landmarks in life help keep us grounded and not forget, in the excitement, who we are and where we came from.   At the same time, too many things can keep us tied down and less free to do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done.

My life very soon will fit into four suitcases and a medium-sized shed.  And you know what?  That doesn’t bother me in the least.