As my daughters and I were preparing to leave the house for a day of school and work I noticed my 9-year-old, Lilli, had dressed up a little more formal than normal. Adorned in a beautiful white and gold dress, she sported the product of her lengthy preparation, including curls and a touch of make up.
It was unknown exactly why she chose her special dress that day. Maybe it was simply to feel a little bit more special, or possibly a young boy had caught her eye and she was ready to impress. Regardless, I complimented her, and of course carried out my fatherly duty by warning her of the dangers of contact with boys who surely had “cooties,” and we went about our business.
Dropping the girls off at school went as planned, without a hitch and as my girls walked away from the car and disappeared behind the walls of their little school building my heart felt joy at the thought of what great young ladies they each were becoming. Apprehensive at the thought that I would soon be tasked with the chore of running off any and all gentlemen suitors, I was happy.
Once securely inside, I departed and went about my normal duties. Later, pushing myself up to my computer monitor, adjusting in the seat to ensure I had the perfect positioning for comfort; I observed what appeared to be a single, glimmering object on my hand.
As I looked closer, I noted that somehow I had attracted a tiny piece of gold colored glitter. Considering it odd, I did my best to brush the glitter off my hand and carry on. As the day went on I continued finding small pieces of glitter, seemingly reproducing with no sight of a source. Perplexed yet unconcerned I completed my daily tasks and carried on. It wasn’t until several days later, seemingly a factory full of glitter discovered and frustration brewing, that the source of the glitter explosion reveled itself.
Seated in my vehicle, some unknown force caused me to turn and look into the back passenger seat. There lay the source of my sparkling nemesis.
Peering upon the seat, shimmering in the sunlight, was a multitude of golden glitter. Then it hit me, Lilly’s dress, which she chose to wear that fateful day was decorated with beautiful lines and flowers. The only problem was those same lines and flowers were nothing more than glitter affixed to the garment with glue. When she sat down to travel to school, she unknowingly transferred her sparkling demeanor, through the glitter, to my car seat. From there you can imagine, as any parent knows, glitter is long lasting and somehow never ending.
So here I sit, covered in glitter, watching as seemingly every inch of my vehicle has taken on new, disco like appearance; with no option but to smile. Months have past, yet the glitter remains and now the beautiful dress has been passed on to her younger sister.
Putting the glitter incident in perspective, I came across a statement the other day while carousing on social media.
I read as a friend posted a meme which simply said “spread kindness like glitter.”
I must admit, I instantly smiled at the thought. So often, we find frustration in the little things, the mishaps, the inconvienences.
What an impact we would have in our communities if we simply are kind, an unrelenting kindness visible and seemingly unable to be removed.
Realistic? Why not?
We, my friends control our behavior and like glitter; have the means by which displaying kindness to others attaches itself, spreading to every surface.
Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from eight to 29.