Life lessons from a 4-year-old

My 4-year-old nephew Liam spent the end of the week with a bad stomach bug that kept him (and his parents) up around the clock part of last week.

My sister shared on Friday he had asked if they could go to the hospital so his “magic hero” would make his tummy not hurt. There’s nothing about that that doesn’t make you just go “ahhh, poor baby.”

But she also shared that in between bouts of sickness, the little tyke was up giggling and playing.

I’ve often said we can learn as much from the young people in our lives as they do for us.

As much as we try to set good examples of kindness, patience, hard work and all of the other values we strive for, they offer a chance to remember what was important before the weight of the world made its impact.

For Liam, being sick doesn’t mean he isn’t going to enjoy himself while he can. The bad that has happened and what may come won’t prevent him from living in the moment. It’s a message my co-worker Misty DeJournett shared last week, but it felt a good time to share it again.

And also on the 4-year-old growing up too fast front, Liam also shared with his mother that he blew a kiss to a little girl on the playground at pre-school. When she blew a kiss back, he caught it. She’s certainly in for a rollercoaster ride. But she’s already making sure to enjoy every moment of it.

Donna Farley is editor at the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at dfarley@darnews.com.