Lessons from Izzy

                         

I coach cheerleading at a nearby high school and boyfriend coaches basketball for the same high school (precious, I know). Even though I have been involved with this school system for 3 years now, I tend to sit at the games alone. Don't get me wrong, many of the parents come to chat with me, ask me about school, and give me compliments; they mostly praise boyfriend and tell me so I can relay the message. He is just such a good Coach!

But while I crunch on my popcorn and sip on my Diet Pepsi, there is always one consistent person who comes to visit: Izzy.

Isabelle, or Izzy, is one of my cheerleaders 6 year old sister. She is the most popular kindergartener I have ever met and I always find delight in having her watch the game with me.

Last night at the varsity game, like clock work, Izzy plopped down beside sporting a brand new blue headband, cute little grey boots and sour candy which she offered me with her smeared marker fingers. We were sitting very close to the entrance to the gym and I saw Izzy greet more than a two dozen individuals with high fives or hugs. She ask about their Christmas plans, how a sick relative was doing, how they did on a test or simply tell them they look pleasant today.

Then she'd sit right back next to me; she'd ask me about boyfriend, see if I was excited to graduate in May, even ask how my niece and nephew were. How does she always remember the stories I tell her?

I began to seriously question how she can recall all this information; not just about me but everyone else too!

I asked Izzy how she always has something to talk about with everyone. I was asking more of a rhetoric question but she had the perfect answer:

"I just listen."

From this day forward I want to be more like Izzy.

So often I get bogged down in my ever growing list of things to do, that I don't take the time to really listen to people, or even stop and have a conversation. I hate to admit it, but sometimes it is easier to put my head down and pretend I don't notice someone, then to actually take the time to catch up with them.

That sound so terrible. But we all do it.

Izzy never hesitates to say 'Hi' to anyone and always listens with such great intent.

We should all love, listen and care like Izzy.

...starting today.