A story about Karin and life
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful little girl named Karin. My niece was only five years of age when I took her to play with Yara, my friend’s daughter. With big smiles on their faces and excitement on their eyes, they scampered off to enjoy their world, free from the anxiety and cares so often prevalent in the adult world. These two beautiful girls had a fun time playing together, as evidenced by their not interrupting our conversation even once, while my friend, Samar and I were spending time together.
After a couple of hours, I needed to leave, so I asked Karin to get ready. I was busy helping her put her things back in her elegant purse, as she would make sure that everything would match; her clothes, shoes, and purse, before she would leave and go out.
I asked Karin an obvious question. “Did you and Yara have a good time?” With pure joy in her voice, she replied, “Yes!” My logical second question was, “What did you do?” “Yara and I played with her toys,” was her response. Karin paused, and then added, “Yara has a beautiful room.”
With false assumption coming from my unhealthy way of thinking, at least at that time, I said to her, “Karin, thank God that you also have a beautiful room.” To my surprise, that little five year old girl said to me, “Khalto (which means auntie in Arabic), I didn’t say my room is not beautiful, I only said that Yara has a beautiful room.”
I literally stopped everything and looked at her eyes, feeling that I was standing in front of a judge in some sort of trial, trying to define my position, yet having nothing to say. I declared myself guilty without waiting to be set free by the judge. I found myself guilty of carrying the unnecessary load of judging others, including my precious niece. I immediately wore the spiritual auntie hat, who was ready to give that child a lesson about gratitude, about life and appreciation for the hard work my sister and her husband were doing to provide her with whatever she wanted and desired. I wanted to teach her a lesson and I wanted to do that in a biblical way, taking into consideration speaking the “truth in love.”
What happened that day is still so vivid in my mind, even after these many years. Karin was right and I was wrong. Soon, Karin will pick up another flower of her age as she turns seventeen years old. She is full of life and love for people around her. Her gentle spirit and maturity surpass her age. When I am around her, I no longer hunt for opportunities to teach her about life. I am there to pay attention to what I could learn from her and enjoy her presence.
Ever since that day so long ago, when I am around people, especially youngsters, I constantly remind myself to be more relaxed, and keep my heart and mind open not only to learn from them, but to also learn about myself.
