Over the years I have become acquainted with Tom, one of the nurses at a local clinic. Last winter Nurse Tom told me of his older brother who was hospitalized with a stroke and was in a coma. During my next visit I asked Tom how his brother was doing. “Much improved,” he answered. Then he added, “Thanks to my grandson Jeremy.” He went on to tell me that his brother was his grandson’s favorite person. They had spent much time together; fishing, playing board games, working puzzles, and doing all the things older men have the privilege of enjoying with delightful, loving 5 year-old kids. Jeremy was lonesome for his uncle so Grand Dad agreed to take the boy to the hospital for a visit. Tom told him that Uncle was sleeping and because he needed to sleep they should talk quietly so they wouldn’t wake him. Soon Jeremy was sitting by Uncle’s bed, holding his hand, talking quietly, and smiling. But, before long a hospital nurse interrupted and she and Tom stood by the door talking.
When Tom returned to the bedside Uncle had his eyes open and was staring at Jeremy. When Tom approached Jeremy began to cry, “I didn’t try to wake him.” He sobbed, “He just woke up by himself!”
Kids can work miracles if we let them. Uncle missed Jeremy and when he heard his voice he awoke. His response was not unusual. The voice of a child often inspires us to work harder, be a better person, or be more attentive to our surroundings, including the children in our lives.
Perhaps I use the word miracle too loosely, but happy kids can perform miracles and we need to be alert to their work. The poet claims: The “work” of the child is “fun”! Make sure your child is happy and has fun. Then, let him use his “magic”, if you prefer that term.