I have always loved to read. Lately, I have been appreciating this special gift as I start to read more interesting books to my children. Leveling up to actual stories feels like quite an achievement as we move beyond short, punchy sentences.

When you have been stuck behind books that count to 10 or describe colourful pictures like something big and blue, it seems like something to celebrate when you can see Edward Bear bumping down the staircase in your child’s imagination. We’ve moved from ‘shiny train’ to all the amazing fishes in McElligot’s pool and Nutkin’s brush with Old Brown.

The questions have levelled-up to some insightful dilemmas, too. “Mama, why did Lowly worm have to save Sea Captain Tilly from drowning? She’s a hippo!”

Bet you never thought of that, Mr Richard Scarry.

Reading Is Such an Adventure, Isn’t It?

One of my adult reads was a classic that included the quote from Atticus, the father in Harper Lee’s How to Kill a Mockingbird. He told his feisty daughter not to judge another person until she had a chance to ‘…climb into his skin and walk around in it.’

I have also seen this empathy echoed in my son’s little stories and it opens doors to some hard conversations. Why should Grandma Tildy take the elephant in from the cold when it will eat all her winter rations and break through her old floorboards?

Why, indeed.

Walking Around in Other People’s Shoes Isn’t Always Comfortable

Empathy and compassion and love are not easy when it means that our own comfort is in jeopardy, but that’s what makes life richer.

Is someone you know pushing against the vaccine? Walk around in their skin a little more to understand why.

Are you angry that someone you’re close to is not yet registered to vote? Delve deeper, but do it gently.

Your choices are not your neighbour’s but we are all happier when there are dialogues, open questions, and kindness enough to see it from another angle.

If we disagree, we are human. If we still remain friends, we are better humans.

A Little Compassion Can Change a Life – Your Own Included

I don’t know why Grandma Tildy told the elephant he could come inside from the snowstorm – he ate all her food, broke her floor, and couldn’t get out the door.

But, when he carried her house on his back, all the way to a warmer place, it doesn’t seem so crazy.

Maybe, we should rather talk to the white elephant in the room and see if it can take us to greener pastures.

Published here.