This past Saturday afternoon we spent time moving through ordinary tasks. Folding laundry, paying bills, and general clean-up took most of the day. This routine is something I usually cherish. As my husband and I finished our tasks, we talked about fixing a late afternoon snack.
Our daughter overheard our conversation. Within a span of a few minutes, we heard the rustle of the bag sheltering the bread and the refrigerator opening. I asked my daughter what she was doing in the kitchen, but she said, “I am just checking on something.” As soon as she finished her sentence, the clang of metal hits the sink. My husband and I both start to wonder what she was really doing, but neither one of us made any movement toward her direction.
The next sound we hear are the thump-thump of her feet. She hasn’t quite mastered inside voice or soft feet yet so we always know she is about the make an entry or exit. In her hands, she had a paper plate and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She said, “I know you were both hungry, so I made a sandwich.” Her gap-filled grin and the echo of pride in her voice choked me up. The unprompted simple gesture caused me to turn my head away from her and wipe away some tears. “Thank you honey. That was so sweet of you.” We both swallowed her with hugs and kisses, while emphasizing that she “cooked” for us for the first time.
So uncomplicated. So simple. And yet so fulfilling. It made me think about how as adults we tend to overcomplicate areas of our own life. What happened to taking the simple approach? What changes as we “grow up”? I am not certain there is a satisfying answer to these questions. But I know there is no mistaking how I filled up inside by something so unlikely. There are, I am certain, so many of these moments in all of our lives. My daughter’s gesture reminded me that I need to be aware of the vastness and grandeur of simplicity.
Image by {N} Duran
Welcome! I am a lawyer turned freelance writer, essayist, and editor. On staff at Literary Mama and the co-founder and co-editor of the literary journal, The Sunlight Press, my essays and reported work have appeared in The Washington Post, The Lily, Saveur, Civil Eats, Brain, Child, ESPN and elsewhere. I am currently at work on a memoir on grief and culture and how it provides perspective on life’s ordinary graces. I invite you to appreciate the ordinary with me. I hope my daily practice of seeing the magic in the mundane helps you celebrate and find more of these moments in your life too.
The simple sweetness of this gesture warms my heart.
Oh, those simple gestures – they’re just the best, aren’t they?
I recall a few instances when I was tired or not feeling well, and one of my boys – still young – did something sweet like that. Made a sandwich, or tucked me in, or some other show of love. Those are the moments that stay with us forever.
Love this post.
Sweet and precious. She is a beautiful girl with a beautiful soul!
Not only is this lovely, but it is universal—we want to help, to participate, to give. This tells me that you have given your girl a most precious gift: secure attachment and the confidence that she can give to you. Girls’ brains may grasp this a tad earlier than boys (things are starting to click for me in my fifties), but all I know is my boys are fifteen and seventeen and I love them to pieces but I’m still waiting on a peanut butter sandwich. Then again we had to teach my father-in-law how to make an egg at 87 when my mother-in-law was in hospital… so at least he died knowing one useful thing. PB & Js for everyone!
So, so, SO adorable! My son recently made me breakfast (toast with cream cheese and jam and a glass of OJ) and he was so proud of himself. These are the moments when we know we’re doing something right.
I sometimes think we overlook how important it is to raise thoughtful, polite children. I love that not only did she want to do a nice thing for you, she wanted it to be a surprise. What a lovely gesture, and yes, what more can we ask for? Some of my favorite moments of parenthood are when O unprompted says “please” or “thank you” or does something kind.
These simple, thoughful gestures are always my favorite. I love that she did this for you.
Hi! I’m visiting from SITS! What a sweet story about your daughter! It truly is the little things that mean the most.
So delicious, your words and that sandwich. And it’s good to know there are other people’s kids out there who haven’t yet mastered the quiet voice or the soft feet. =>
You have an amazing little girl there.
Oh – what a sweetheart. You must be so proud. 🙂
It’s amazing to me how caring she is at such a young age. At the engagement this weekend, Nandini was keeping me company at the dj table and saw that I was staring at the cake (as I tend do when there is a dessert anywhere in my peripheral view). She asked if I wanted some and even helped me cut a piece and put it on my plate! 🙂 Furthermore, she had a huge smile on her face afterwards; I can tell she gets great joy out of helping others.
You and Ashish have done an awesome job raising Nandini so far, she’s a really sweet kid!