Role Model for Love
Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 4:38PM 
I don't know what got a hold of Josephine, but she spent the day making Valentines for her classmates, a full month ahead of the holiday. After she finished, she asked if we could put a piece of candy on each one. "No," I told her. "Valentines Day is about love and kindness, not candy." Take that Hallmark, Hershey's and every other business pimping the holiday.
Besides, I groan at the Valentine's candy haul every year, no way am I going to contribute to it.
Josephine walked away to her bedroom and emerged an hour later with three friendship bracelets attached to several of the cards she already made.
At 9:30, I went to check on her in her bedroom, tell her to turn out the light, it's way past bedtime. More card/bracelet combinations were strewn across her floor and she sat in bed weaving yet another bracelet. My heart pretty much exploded at the care she'd taken, the love she'd shown.
"I don't know what we did to have a daughter as kind and generous as you," I said. "We're so lucky."
She twisted her mouth into an embarrassed but knowing smile and continued making presents for her friends.
Reader Comments (4)
Sigh. This makes my heart grow three sizes. It ain't luck, Mama.
^ What Lisa said.
She learns from what she sees every day in her Mama. It is plain. It is simple. It is true. And, it is oh so very overwhelmingly lovely.
Thank you.
I think it's the other way around; I see her and try to do better.