When I Grow Up

Today, I was at a coffee shop sitting alone, contently reading my magazine when suddenly a blonde head of curls appeared from under the table. 

"Hi I'm Zena" she said, friendly yet inspecting me to see if I applied to the "don't talk to strangers rule" that every mother drills into their child's head - I passed and she sat down next to me. 

I started by asking her age and she held up 4 fingers. 

I then asked what she was doing at the coffee shop alone and she explained that her parents were having a meeting with the owner. In the middle of our deep conversation the waiter brought her order. "A baby-chino" he said.. basically an espresso cup with milk and a little chocolate powder. 

"Did you know that I can make this turn into hot chocolate" she exclaimed proudly whilst vigorously stirring the few bits of powder into her hot milk. "See, magic!"
I acted impressed.. the response she had wanted from me immediately ensured I gained her approval.

You may ask why on earth I am telling you about today's experience? Why is it relevant and why would I think it interests any of you? 

Here's why- in the approximate 10 minutes Zena and I talked, I learnt the following things about her and her life:

* she has just finally learnt how to do the monkey bars after failing in front of all her classmates and falling to the ground "3 whole times!" 

* she can count to 26 in French

* she thinks the coffee shop should sell more books

* she went to the aquarium today and saw her ballet teacher and thinks "she shouldn't have been there because fish don't do ballet"

* she loves chomps

* her best friend is Anastasia 

* her birthday is in November but she doesn't remember when 

* her mom usually drives the car and her dad sits in the passenger seat

* she plans on moving to France later in life and taking her dog with her - and will do this by "putting my dog in a plastic bag with nappies in and bringing him on the plane and putting the bag near my feet" because this way "people will just think it's nappies!"

Why do these random facts about Zena's life interest me? Because it touched me how open and willing to share children are and how, by still being oblivious to the big, bad world, they are not afraid of judgement or someone laughing at them.

With growth comes knowledge and fear - useful yet restricting. 

We stop sharing wonderful facts about things we love with people and choose carefully what we say before we speak, depending on how they will react.

I've decided to try hang out more with little people, as Zena entertained me far more than a self-conscious adult would have at the coffee table. 

X Zo