Sometimes Finding Gratitude Means Forgetting Something Else

This past Sunday, I almost missed a moment I'm sure I would have regretted missing. With little warning, Katie reminded me about the Kiddie Kingdom art show, which would include some of Ian's work. Our weekend had already been packed full of work and fun when she told me about the art show. We'd actually just returned from an afternoon at Kings Dominion, and I was frankly ready to spend the rest of my birthday relaxing. 

Katie offered to take Ian to the art show and let me stay behind. I'm sure inside she knew that was a bad option and hoped I'd come to that conclusion as well. With a little thought, I did.

We walked into the art show and had little trouble finding Ian's work. When I saw the pride on his face, his joy in sharing his creativity, I forgot how much I originally didn't want to be there.

As we took in the rest of the students' creations that clung proudly to the walls throughout the building, it hit me that this was our last Kiddie Kingdom art show - at least ones that included Elliott and Ian's work. I'm now motivated to propose an alumni art show. 

We've been so blessed by the opportunities our kids have had spending their pre-school years at Kiddie Kingdom. Not the least of them is both boys have developed a creative side that makes them interesting and entertaining little creatures at home, and has well prepared both of them for kindergarten. 

(On a side note, with all that gets talked about in education reform, advocates should be screaming loudest for all kids to have the kind of opportunity our kids have received at Kiddie Kingdom. There's no good reason all kids shouldn't start kindergarten with the kind of early education our kids have received. End of rant)

I was reminded as we pulled away from the show that gratitude doesn't come naturally. There are times it requires a search party. Sometimes we have to look at our kids and make the personally inconvenient choice to place their opportunity to be noticed by their parents over our opportunity to spend a few moments noticing nothing. Granted, there is often peace in noticing nothing, and there is also a tremendous risk you'll miss something beautiful. 

Thank you to the Kiddie Kingdom staff for their continued commitment to our kids and this annual event to showcase the cool things they come up with together.