Unbelievably, today was the last day of school for Joplin. I picked up my granddaughter Aubrey after a half day at school completed her 2nd grade journey. Her eyes were bright as she climbed into the car.
“I have something to show you,” she said with excitement. “Don’t look yet.”
As I maneuvered the car across the school parking lot, I heard her rummaging in her backpack. When I stopped at the exit to wait on traffic, she had me look at what she was holding in her hands.
Each child in Ms. Compton’s 2nd grade classroom received an award today. From a wide range of categories, the students voted on which child would be honored with which award. Aubrey won the most votes for the “Most Artistic” Award.
Aubrey told me how pleased she was to be the recipient of this award. However, the significance was much greater than just receiving a certificate. This was an achievement that signified the realization of an intention Aubrey set in January 2015.
Shortly after the second semester of kindergarten started for Aubrey, she brought me a goal she had written out in class. It accompanied an illustration and the printed words read:
“My goal is to be a betr rtist.” Aubrey
Six year old Aubrey entrusted me with her goal. She asked me to be the keeper of her intention, and I have done so…for more than two years. We’ve discussed her artwork frequently as she has gained more skill and developed her own creative style, often referring back to the goal she declared in 2015.
She understood today that this piece of paper she received at school represented two years of honing her abilities and allowing her creativity to shine forth. It represented Aubrey’s desire to be more artistic and succeeding at meeting her goal. And it encouraged her that her classmates view her as an artist.
I love Aubrey’s artistic style, which is playful and expressive. I appreciate her awareness of how life works and how everything connects together. Most of all, I love Aubrey and her creative heart.
We had a wonderful conversation about setting intentions and seeing them realized. We discussed creativity and art and how everyone has gifts to offer to the world. Aubrey couldn’t wait to surprise the rest of her family with her award and to tell the story of how it came about.
Such a special moment deserves to be celebrated and commemorated. I asked Aubrey if she would like a frame for her certificate, so she could display it in her room. We drove to Michael’s, where Aubrey selected a simple white frame.
I thought she might go with something more, well, artistic, but she had other ideas.
At her house, she told me she knew exactly where the framed certificate could go. A spot was already prepared. Aubrey showed me a cleared corner on top of her bookcase.
She carefully placed her award on the shelf and then Aubrey did her artistic thing. She added little creative touches to the plain frame, personalizing it and making it uniquely hers. My eyes filled with tears as I watched her. I learn so much from my grandchildren.
Aubrey. From wanting to be a better artist in 2015…to Most Artistic in 2017. She shines.
