Toddlers are about 75 percent emotion I think. And without words to truly express those emotions, and without fear of showing their vulnerability, tantrums, crying, laughter, and hitting all abound.
My brother in law suggested that this would be a fun way to go through life. When you’re hungry, cry. Walk in to a bar, sit down and wail until the bartender brings you a drink. Don’t get your way? Throw yourself on the ground and scream. Frustrated by a project at work? Throw your laptop across the room. There would be a lot less ambiguity in our dealings with each other.
The wonderful emotional side of toddlers is also reflected in their undisguised love. Earlier this week, I was playing with Reidy, just he and I. Steve was out and about running errands, so Reidy’s number one grandparent was not in the mix that day. Just Itsy :). Bliss for one of us. We were on the deck playing with bubbles, drawing with chalk. Reidy was going in and out of the house playing ‘where’s Reidy?’. Silly, simple, giggle-worthy each time he re-entered the deck through the screen door. At one point, he simply stopped, came over to me, put up his arms and hugged me, placing his little head on my shoulder. He stayed like that for about 20 seconds before resuming his game. And this was easily the highlight of my year, the simple true expression of love from my sweet grandson.
He had a few more tantrums that afternoon, methodically tossed his snack on the floor and colored on the kitchen table while staring directly in to my eyes, but that’s not what I’ll remember. It’s not what matters.
Every day we have the opportunity to show how we truly feel. Imagine the world if we had the tools and bravery to show our love like toddlers do.
Nancy Wiley writes. 