Sandbox Rules that Stick for Life

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This past Thanksgiving weekend, I took the time out to acknowledge what it is that I am truly thankful for – my family. I have an aunt that lives north of the city with her husband and two beautiful children. Each time I visit, and I must confess I should more often, I like to bring little treats for her kids. This past visit, I decided to stop at a local Tim Horton’s and buy some Timbits. When we arrived and the kids saw me, they ran up to hug me and say hi, but when I pulled out the little box of Timbits, their faces lit up with grins that stretched from ear to ear. We all sat around and discussed the latest happenings in each of our lives and when I asked the little girl if anything new was happening in her life, she eagerly told me about ballet classes she had just started. Later on that day, our moms had drifted into the kitchen for some r&r and conversation of their own. The little girl shot up and ran into the kitchen to get something from her mom and when she returned to sit next to me on the couch, I noticed she had one single gummy bear in her hand. She began to get all comfy and settled in as she held me captive watching Barbie Princess Diaries on Treehouse, when just before she ate her gummy bear she did something that really touched me. She was about to bite down and then she turned back with her angel eyes and soft voice and said “Nnali, do you want a piece?” I was thrown aback for a few seconds and finally drew up a response and declined but thanked her for the offer. It was such a small gesture, but the thought behind it was huge. Later that day on the way home, I thought to myself – we have all been drilled since childhood with the notion that sharing is caring, but, in reality, a lot of us don’t share. Now, of course I’m not talking about sharing a gummy bear or a piece of candy. I’m talking about the sharing that is most rewarding and priceless. Lending a helping hand to the stranger that dropped her bag of groceries, or splitting the bagel down the middle so your friend can enjoy a piece too, these simple acts of kindness can help us all get through life a tad bit easier. On a final note, just remember that sharing is caring and we should do unto others as we would want done unto us.

25 Replies to “Sandbox Rules that Stick for Life”

  1. Such a nice story, Nnali. Thanks for sharing this lovely story.

    Perhaps, we can start a list of the many ways that Jane/Finch youth share or could share if adults took the time to ask them to get involved.

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