SOAR Award Archives - Cindy Goes Beyond

April 1, 2016

Surrender 92: Advice From the River

Today was one of those days where things happened, and I was swept along with the current of momentum…happily so, never quite knowing what was around the bend. It truly was a go with the flow or fight the current kind of day.

This gorgeous Friday was bookended with events in which two of my beautiful grandchildren participated.

The morning began with an award ceremony. I got to be present to watch Aubrey receive a SOAR award for Showing Respect…the S word in the SOAR acronym. This bright and curious child never fails to bring a smile to my face and joy to my heart. Way to go, Aubrey!

And then I had a predicament. Last night Marco the cat brought a baby rabbit home. He didn’t hurt him. He simply carried him home, much to baby bunny’s displeasure. The little guy was still young enough that his eyes were closed. I had no idea where his mother had her bunny nursery hidden, so I couldn’t return him. I called him Clive.

Wrapped in a towel, Clive allowed me to snuggle him and eventually drank almond milk from an eye dropper. He stole my heart. And survived the night burrowed between the layers of a folded towel. However, I have to be out of town all day tomorrow and I knew he would need to eat frequently.

I am so grateful for Main Street Pet Care. I called them and explained my situation. To my relief, they have a wildlife care program, especially designed to nurture wild animals and then release them when they are able to fend for themselves. It was a grateful but sad goodbye to Clive.

Work claimed a good portion of my afternoon as I worked to get a listing back on the market, after the contract on it failed to close. As a realtor, I’ve experienced such situations before. I don’t like to have a transaction fall apart, as that is very disappointing to my clients and to me as well.

However, sometimes something good falls apart, so something better can come together. In an extraordinary way, a new contract on the same property came together in minutes this afternoon. A better contract, in every way.

I am grateful. My clients are happy. The other agent and the buyers are thrilled. It’s a win/win all of the way around. Into that space of high energy, another contract on another property came together, in another spectacular arranging of events. My evening suddenly shifted. I would be at the computer tonight, as I am leaving for St Louis very early in the morning.

Which meant, I was unable to attend grandson Jonathan’s talent show tonight. I was excited about the double contracts this evening, and yet bummed to miss Jonathan’s performance. This boy is a natural and gifted performer. Singing, dancing, acting…he embraces it all, with a mix of old world charm and very modern technology.

I am very grateful that my grandson Dayan recorded Jonathan’s performance as he sang “Christ is Risen,” and the fourth grade class rendition of Evolution of Dance. It touched my heart to watch both videos. I cheered Jonathan on from home. While not the same as being present, at least I had the privilege of watching as this talented child shared his gifts with the world.

I love what I learn from days like today: surrender, trust, stay open, stay flexible, flow, love, laugh and listen…to those around me, to my heart, to the Divine. And I remember that there is more, just around the river bend.

May 18, 2015

Journey 138: Little Eagle

It is hard to believe, but this is Aubrey’s last week in kindergarten. It seems like only yesterday that she skipped off to her first day of school, eyes shining, ready to make new friends. She’s got this school thing down, now, nine months later, and already considers herself a first grader.

Today was the last SOAR assembly in her school. Aubrey picked up a SOAR certificate in February, for demonstrating the R in SOAR….Resolve conflict. This morning, she received her second SOAR award, representing the A…Accept responsibility. The other letters stand for Show respect and Observe safety. Four children are selected from each kindergarten through second grade class at Aubrey’s school, the recipients chosen by the teachers.

What a difference the second time makes. Aubrey wasn’t watching shyly from the door to the auditorium today. She looked relaxed and flashed her cheering section – her mom, little brother, dad, step-mom, Nana Beth, Papa Greg and me…big smiles frequently. When she wasn’t throwing glances our way, she was chatting quietly with her classmates and fellow kindergarteners.

Watching her at the front of the large room, her tall, slender form striking a natural pose, I thought about how much she has grown this year, academically, physically, emotionally, spiritually. I’m proud of how well she did in school, learning so many new things. However, I am even more thrilled with her social and communicative skills, her deepening intuition and her ability to see beyond, and with the kindness and love she shows toward family, friends…and people she’s just met at Chick-Fil-A. She is Aubrey….and I love how she inhabits her Aubrey space so fully.

During the assembly, after each child in a class has received his or her SOAR award, the teacher of that class announces the winner of the Talon Award. This is a medal on a ribbon, given to the child. The winner is selected by the rest of the children in the class, by way of a vote. It is an honor to be noticed exhibiting great life skills by the teacher. It is a thrill to be selected for the Talon Award by friends and peers. This morning, I held my breath as my granddaughter’s teacher announced this month’s recipient from her class: Aubrey Moore.

I clapped and whooped. The look of sheer delight on Aubrey’s face as the medal was slipped over her head was so beautiful. This friendly, helpful little girl will cherish her medal. I cherish her. Way to go Little Eagle.

February 27, 2015

Journey 58: Aubrey SOARs

I’ve been under the weather the past couple of days. But this morning there was no way I was missing a special assembly at granddaughter Aubrey’s school. This bright eyed, joyful child was honored with other selected kindergarteners and first and second graders in receiving the SOAR Award. Parents and grandparents were encouraged to attend. I was there, along with Greg, Aubrey’s mom and dad, and her Nana Beth and Papa Tom.

Aubrey with Nana Beth and Papa Tom

Each month, at Aubrey’s school, four children from each class are selected as SOAR honorees. The children selected have demonstrated one of four life skills: Show respect, Observe safety, Accept responsibility, Resolve conflict…S.O.A.R. Aubrey was selected from her kindergarten class for demonstrating the skill of resolving conflicts.

I was so proud of her! Aubrey is a very intuitive, thoughtful child. She genuinely cares about other kids and adults and speaks to people of all ages with kindness and interest. Yesterday, I picked her up from school. She said she was hungry…and asked if we could go to Golden Corral so she could have shrimp! I didn’t mind at all. Golden Corral has their lunch buffet until 4:00 and children eat at a great low price. Being conscious of eating whole foods and not feeling much like eating anyway, I primarily sipped on unsweet tea and engaged in fun, lively chats with Aubrey. Our server was friendly and attentive and kept up an ongoing conversation with Aubrey whenever she walked near. As we were preparing to leave, Aubrey whispered to me, “Isn’t she so nice and helpful? Yaya, leave some money on the table.” I had intended to leave a tip, yet I loved that Aubrey saw the kindness in the server, recognized that she was working hard, and wanted to honor that cheerful service with a tip. I let her help me leave the money on the table.

Aubrey with her mom

Today I sat in the auditorium and gave Aubrey a small wave as she smiled a bit nervously from the doorway. All the honorees were gathered there while the rest of the children were being seated on the floor in the large room. Aubrey has only recently begun to express shyness when she is the center of attention in a large group. I don’t want to push her to do anything she doesn’t want to do, and yet I do want to lovingly and warmly encourage her to continue to step up as the unique person that she is. It’s okay if she feels nervous or a bit shy. We all do at times. What I love is how Aubrey is learning to move past that nervousness. At the right time, she ran into the room with her three classmates, smiling broadly. We cheered and applauded as each child was introduced and handed his or her certificate.

Aubrey with her dad

This was a first today, watching Aubrey receive recognition in a school assembly. Whether there are other such times or not, I know this is just the beginning of this little lady’s amazing journey. She is an instinctive and empathic nurturer of people, and resolving conflicts and helping others will come naturally to her. Soar Aubrey, soar. There is a big world and unlimited blue skies awaiting you.

Aubrey with Papa and Yaya