Awareness

I tend to think of myself as someone who takes in my surroundings at all times. My mind is always working. What is happening, what is needed, what will be needed? Sometimes it’s intentional, but more often than not, it’s just the way my head and sensory system work.

 I was in a friend’s kitchen chatting away one afternoon as she was preparing dinner. As we were talking I noticed her next step was going to be a lot easier with a little assistance. As she made her move, I provided the extra hands and the transition was smooth. Midway through her sentence she realized what I did without being asked and said, “That’s what I need, a wife!”
 

There is something very female about the ability to notice what is going on around us and what might make things better. Men tend to have the tunnel vision focus of exactly what they are doing, while women tend to be aware of multiple things at the same time.

I am not saying there aren’t guys who do this well, there are. And I am not saying all females have this skill – they don’t. But I have been keenly aware of my 4 year old’s ability in this department lately.

Not long ago, Kate was outback hanging out with her dad and brother. Roger mentioned how hot it was. In she ran asking me where his hat was. I told her. She retrieved it and proudly ran back outside and handed it to him.
 

One morning as I sat on the couch reading, Kate noticed goose bumps on my arms. She didn’t ask if I was cold, or ask if I wanted a blanket, instead she hopped down and grabbed a big warm cozy blanket and laid it out on my lap.

This past summer we were driving across Utah on our way to Colorado. It was HOT! We found an air-conditioned Wal-Mart breezeway to escape the sun and heat while we ate our picnic lunch. There was one park bench. I stood next to it while Roger, Kate and Bryan all sat down with their plates of food. I stood there chuckling to myself that I was the one standing. Not bothered by it, just noting how funny it was that those are the kinds of thing I would notice, but others don’t. As this thought was crossing my mind Kate tells Bryan, “Bryan, Bryan, scootch over this way a little bit.” Roger noticed that there was plenty of room for the 3 of them as it was and asked her why? She said “So momma can sit down.” Of all the people in my family, my 4 year old noticed and tried to make it better.

A couple weeks ago Kate and I were playing cards in her room. I told her I needed to take a quick break to grab a Kleenex because I had a runny nose. I go in the bathroom to grab some TP and she follows me in. I see her pulling strips off the roll stuffing them in her pockets. I giggle, guessing what is going on. Sure enough, when we get back in her room she tells me I don’t need to worry, because if I need more Kleenex she has some for me, and she pats the bulges in her jean skirt.

 What a gift at 4 to already be so aware of the needs of those around her and searching for ways to meet those needs. I love watching this! It makes me want to work even harder at fostering this in myself and challenges me to look beyond my immediate circumstances to work at seeing the needs in our neighborhood, our town, our world and finding ways to quietly, selflessly, meet those needs.