Breakfast Lessons

 Well, I just returned from a 10 day tour up in the Northeast. We were in NY, NH, MA, PA & MD. It was great fun, making music, friends and fans. Still, my favorite memory from the entire trip was a breakfast date with my five year old nephew. I'd promised him the night before that we'd go to breakfast; but had to wake him up to stay on schedule because "Tia" , as he calls me, should not have told him and gotten too him excited to go to bed. We get in the car armed with my GPS and I ask where he wanted to go. Like most kids his age, he said Mickey D's so off we went.

He didn't know it; but I was enraptured by his trust, and enjoyment of the moment. Unlike me, he was not thinking about, where he had to be next. The only thing he knew was that Tia was letting him ride in her car and taking him to breakfast. He took my hand as we walked in and his face lit up when I told him he could have whatever he wanted (it was too early for happy meals). We sat at a table and talked. I listened as he told me about getting ready for kindergarten and going fishing with his dad. We saw a garbage truck pass by on the street and he explained to me that they picked up the trash and took it to a dumpster. Of course, I knew this; but still it sounded fresh and new coming from him. We laughed and made funny faces over our hotcakes and sausage.

Our breakfast was over too soon and all too soon I had to say goodbye; but those few precious moments were amazing! His innocence and inquisitive nature, made me stop my hectic pace and just enjoy!

Maybe I'm biased but I think I have the most amazing niece and nephew in the world. Every time I have a chance to spend some time with them, I'm proud of the people they are becoming and overwhelmed with enormity of their innocence in this complicated world. I learn from them about trust, love and simple enjoyment. May we all take a step back from the crazy pace and see the world through the eyes of a child.

Leave a comment