Sharing Chocolate

At Sari Bari we have an "open door" policy for the children of our employees. There is a 2 year old girl who is at Sari Bari almost every day. She's an absolute joy. It took her awhile to warm up to me – but now we're buddies. She'll run to see me, insist on being picked up (she's very persuasive!). Like any other 2 year old when you do something fun or funny she says, "again" over and over until I eventually have to say, "this is the last time." (and then she usually gets an extra "last time" out of me - cause, well, like most of the ladies at Sari Bari, i'm wrapped around her little finger. She loves to look at the pictures we have hanging on the walls at Sari Bari, and tell me who is in the picture.

i've been thinking recently about my ability to speak and understand Bangla - and its funny the way things sneak up on you. the way understanding and confidence sneak up. when i first got back from language school, and started getting to know this little girl - it was stressful for me to chat with her in Bangla, i'd have to think about what i was going to say, how i was going to say it - and i was worried i'd say things wrong. Last week i realized that now i swoop her up in my arms and we chat away in Bangla - both of our speech improving (she is only 2 after all). and then i realized how my confidence has grown...it doesn't stress me out to talk to a 2 year old anymore. slowly slowly, i'm making progress in this language!

This week I brought in a piece of chocolate to share with her. When I tried to give it to her, she wouldn't take it – but she told me to sit in the chair, and then she came and sat on my lap. I broke off a piece of chocolate (to show her it tasted good), and ate it. Then I gave her a piece (which she loved). I kept feeding her little pieces, but after a couple, she wouldn't take anymore. She insisted that I have another piece. On and on we went – sharing a piece of chocolate. And when we came down to the last piece – and I tried to give it to her, again, she insisted that we share.

A 2 year old insisting that I eat chocolate too?!!?!? Absolutely beautiful!