With Heart
Three thank you notes lay on my desk when I got to work yesterday. They were from the foster kids I took to dinner in Dallas last month.
I laughed when I started to read their messages. I could tell they had been prompted, because they all said variations of the exact same thing!
My eyes immediately searched for the part where Kendrick had signed, because of all the kids I was most anxious to see what he would say.
You never know what brought the kids there, and most of the time you don’t ask. You just listen.
Kendrick was dressed to the nines, gold chain and all! He had an eye for fashion as he recognized the brand of my shirt.
“Ohh, Miss. I didn’t know you knew who Ed Hardy was.”
“I didn’t. I just liked the tiger on the front.”
“Well, that’s cool. I got game, you know.”
“That’s good, but I have more.”
“Ohh miss, there is no way. Hey, what’s this leaf doing in my salad?”
“Honey, it’s not a leaf. It’s lettuce. Just eat it.”
His eyes went from the leaf on his fork to my eyes and back to the leaf on his fork. “Ohh, miss. Are you sure it’s OK?”
“Yes, Kendrick. I eat leaves all the time. Spinach. Lettuce. Stuff like that.”
By this time the entire table was watching this unfold.
And we all held our breath as he ate the leaf, and sighed and smiled when he proclaimed it good.
“Oh miss. You were right. That WAS good. I still got game you know. Can you bring me some lemonade next time you come?”
“Yes, Kendrick. I will bring you some lemonade.”
So, you can see why I was anxious to read his thoughts!!
And it was a short and sweet little generic message saying thanks, but what made me tear up was a little heart he had drawn at the front of his message!
Mind you, I could tell it was covering up the scribbled mistake he made at the very beginning of his message. But a young man with game knows to cover a mistake with his heart.
And isn’t that true in everything we do? Even if the gym.
If I mess up, all I have to do is put my heart in it to get back on track.
When my cheat meal turns into a cheat day, all I have to do is pour my heart into some cardio.
When I don’t see the changes I want, all I have to do is put my heart into some heavier weights.
And on days I just don’t feel like doing any part of it, I remind my heart how good I have it.
Because somewhere there is a Kendrick who would love to be in my shoes, with the ability to come and go to the gym any time I want.
And yes, that child does have game. He most certainly does! And years from now, I hope he learns how to use it!
Of course, not as much as I hope he still scribbles hearts over all his mistakes.
