Before there was me

Today Maayan said, “After Hashem (God, meaning “the Name”, as traditionally said in Judaism) fixed me, I had feet and hands. Then Hashem fixed my sister.”

 

Although I don’t have the clearest recollection of what my life was like before I was born, Maayan seems to have a pretty good grasp on things. My little 4 year old is pretty comfortable in thinking of life before life and existence before having a body. I didn’t always have what I have, there was a time when it had to all come together and thankfully it did.

 

What is so profound for me is how simple it is for a toddler. It is somehow obvious to a toddler how things were not always as they are. Maayan loves looking at herself as a baby. She is always saying how, “when I was a baby…”

 

Toddlers are cool with change. They see it all the time. They see baby pictures, smaller clothes and shoes without laces. They see other babies and older kids and are able to see themselves in context of consistent growth. Even more profoundly, at least in my own experience with my daughter, understanding what life was like before birth is as clear as a clear sippy cup.

 

Adults are not so fast with change, it’s a hard thing for them. Birthdays, as signs of change, are not fun for adults. Usually their cards are equipped with such phrases as “over the hill” or “it’s all downhill from here” and other references to hills, gravity and falling. Changes in jobs, relationships, presidents and TV shows are not taken with ease. Let alone thinking of life before life.

 

For toddlers however, change is a given. We didn’t always have what we have. Things used to be one way, now they’re another. At one point there was only me, now there are others. I was smaller, now I’m bigger and my shoes have laces. For a toddler, change is always happening and they’re happy with every move.

 

Life lesson of a toddler #22: Change happens, enjoy the ride & appreciate all the many gifts along the way.

 

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Make a silly face

While we were sitting down at the table, Maayan says to me, “Let’s make silly faces.” Great idea!

 

Maayan did the first one and then asked me to. It was pretty funny, we were both cracking up. In all honesty, I have had some real life experience making silly faces. Back in the day I remember seeing a picture of Harpo Marx, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin as Harpo made a hilarious face. His cheeks puffed, eyes crossed and tongue out made for a very inspiring face. As I did my best to live up to the great ones, Maayan laughed along with sheer enjoyment.

 

Silly faces are a fantastic way of opening up. Whether a person is in too serious of a mood, worried about the latest news or just in need of a good laugh – silly faces are the perfect antidote. They come highly recommended by toddlers.

 

In fact, toddlers are of the opinion that adults should be making silly faces on a more consistent basis. Studies have shown, they say, that silly faces can add years to one’s life and increase productivity as well. In the latest news, they have even recommended making silly faces in board rooms and business meetings. When things might get a little serious, silly faces can fix all that. Someone is encouraged to take the bull by the horns and in the middle of a meeting stand up and say, “Everyone, let’s make silly faces!”

 

Life lesson of a toddler #19: Make silly faces often. It is guaranteed to bring joy to your life!