As part of my job, I found myself in a kindergarten classroom today. As I was walking in the door - I hadn't even gotten the teacher's attention yet - a little boy I'd never met before looked at me with the most earnest big brown eyes, literally dropped his jaw, gasped aloud and said, "You're pretty."
I thanked him and smiled, then went about my business with his teacher.
Now let me be clear. I have worked with little ones a lot. I know that *gasp* you're pretty doesn't mean the same thing coming from a five year old that it means from a teen or an adult - teens and adults have established standards of beauty. From a five year old the more likely interpretation of *gasp* you're pretty would be something like, *gasp* you really resemble my mommy (or aunt, or babysitter, or someone else who loves me and makes me feel special. I suppose at my age, grandmother would have to figure into that list, too. Sigh.). It could mean, *gasp* you look kind and I think I want to see if I might like you. It might even mean, *gasp* you are wearing my favorite color.
I know this.
I fully grok this.
And yet.....
Even with complete cognitive awareness of where the compliment came from and how it was probably intended, it was still a darn nice way to start the day.
May you have a gasp-worthy day as well!
6 comments:
*gasp* you're pretty
Very sweet. I would totally take whatever compliments came my way.
*Gasp* You're pretty and smart and you write great blog posts! And you're so right about compliments.
Oh, just accept it! You are pretty!
Children are very smart!
I hope today starts off just as well as yesterday.
See now I think the opposite...kids are so honest that I would appreciate that compliment more than a teen or an adult because you know it's the truth!
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