Let me preface today’s blog post by saying that I really
do enjoy my time at the Culver City Children’s Center. Yes, I’ve got about a
week and a half left before it all ends, but I am cherishing every moment.
Now, having said that, I gotta admit that a huge part of
me is sad right now. You see, my cousins from Nashville are still out here, and
I really wanted to hang out with them today; they said something about heading
up to the Santa Monica Pier, and then hittin’ up the Pacific Coast Highway.
Well, as y’all can see, the beach ain’t nowhere in my present, given that I’m
with these little ones. Heaven knows that I love these little ones, but yet and
still, I wanted so bad to call out today, just because I enjoy spending time
with my cousins, and I also love the beach. Now, inasmuch as I wanted to play
hooky, I knew that I needed to fulfill my commitment at the Culver City Children’s
Center—and as y’all can see, as much as it hurt me to do so, I made the right decision.
And then, the cutest thing happened to me after quitting
time today: While I was cleaning up the kiddies’ play area, one of the little
ones—a fresh-faced towheaded little fella who had to be no more than four years
old—approached me and said that I looked sad. Well, I told the little fella
about my dilemma (such as it was), and I kid y’all not—this little guy gave me
a great big hug and said, “Oh, don’t be sad, Miss Natasha. You still have your
family with you, and I’m sure that they love you very much.”
Out of the mouth of babes, though!
Right then and there, a lightbulb went off in my head.
That little fella gave me something to think about: Granted, I may not have been
able to hang out with my cousins at the beach today, but I still have this
weekend to hang out with them! Well, I thanked the little guy for his words of
wisdom, and I let him know that he was very wise beyond his years. He simply
smiled and gave me another big hug.
So, this is what I’ve learned: Yes, I have a commitment
to fulfill, and I’m gonnafulfill that commitment no matter what. At the same
time, Cousin Keith ‘nim don’t have to leave until this Sunday—they’re taking Cousin
Erica back to Fisk University; she begins her junior year on this upcoming Monday.
And besides which, Gramma Jewel is planning on treating all of us to dinner at
Mr. Chuck’s restaurant this Friday evening.
Oh, I sure do hope that Mr. Chuck is ready for the whole
lot of us. After all, we are notorious for shutting down restaurants… I’m just
sayin’!
Well, now that I’ve cleared my soul and spoken my piece,
I feel so much better than I did. I guess I just needed to express my
frustrations, is all… and now I feel like a thirty-pound weight has been lifted
off of me.
With that said, I’ll holla at y’all later.
Smooches,
Natasha
