Good morning!

Another 3am post coming at you.

I’ve been falling asleep with Ishu each night. So when he wakes up around 2-3am (yes, he still wakes up at least once), I’m pretty much ready to get my day started.

8pm to 2am is 6 hours of sleep!

(Though, I’ll probably hit ‘Publish’ on this and then crawl back into bed. Until he wakes up crawling all over my face).

The last couple of days have felt extra busy.

I wanted to pile on the testing this week since we had Nani Daycare going on here. And I vowed I’d get some solid report writing in.

So, between that and wanting to help out my mom (because this kid is a LOT right now) and wanting to spend time with Nani, I’m WIPED by the end of the day.

Not to mention, I just got my booster shot so I think that’s why I was done and done by 8pm last night.

I took Ishu out for a quick trip to the park in the late afternoon. I’ve been wanting to take him out daily since the weather is so nice, but with work, it’s been a little harder.

But, yesterday, we pulled out his stroller/tricycle/bike that my mama got him back on his first birthday. (He used to be a tiny bit afraid of it. And now it’s like the most amazing thing he’s ever seen).

We walked uphill to the park closest to our house.

He wanted to play on the swing (“dat ming!”). So we did that for a little. And then he wandered around the park for a tiny bit. But eventually he ended up right back on the bike. It’s all he wanted to do.

So, we left the park and I took the longer route home. And, on the way, we stopped to pick up some leaves.

He picked up two and I said, “Okay. One for Nanu? And one for Nani?” as I dropped them into the front basket.

“Nanunani,” he smiled as he reached for the leaves and took one in each hand.

He settled into his seat – leaves in hands – while I pushed him the rest of the way home. I walked into the garage and then steered him toward the side door that led out to the backyard.

I parked the bike in front of the double doors and knocked on the glass window.

My mom opened the door for us and, per usual, he squealed in delight when seeing his Nani.

He handed over the leaf and I did the talking. “We picked up this leaf for you, Nani. Ishu wanted you to have this leaf.”

My mom smiled SO BIG at him and picked him up and smooshed him.

And his reaction was the BEST BEST BEST.

He looked genuinely so pleased that he was able to gift his Nani with something that he got to pick up and carry home.

His Nanu got home shortly after while he was eating in his high chair. I handed Ishu the leaf we set aside for his Nanu. And when my papa walked in the room, he handed the leaf over.

My papa knelt down to kiss his sweet head and, again, he looked so happy.

It was such a beautiful reminder that kids have a natural drive to be kind and generous. They have a rooted instinct to share and to help others.

And we, as adults, can foster that by giving them opportunities.

In hopes that, some day, they’ll grow up to be empathetic, loving, and KIND humans who love their family, their community, and the world.

And maybe it starts now. With the smallest act of gifting leaves.