I’m Glad You’re Here

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“When you love someone the best thing you can offer is your presence. How can you love if you are not there?” – Thich Nhat Hanh

We were sitting in the family room of the small AirBnB cabin we’d rented for President’s Day weekend when I heard my four-year-old son, Mr. D quietly say to my friend, Eric, who had joined us. “I’m glad you’re here.”

It’s a sentiment that I’ve heard both of my children say on different occasions, locations, and to different friends. I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad we’re here.

It’s completely unprompted by me and I’ve never noticed them saying it at the moment of arrival. Usually it’s uttered calmly in genuine camaraderie for an adult that has shown up – physically and emotionally.

I find it to be one of the most remarkable compliments a kid can give. After all, at ages eight and four, they aren’t in charge of where we go or who comes along. But when they find the presence of another person to be comforting/fun/engaging/stimulating, they say so. Genuinely.

Upon reflection, it’s another thing my kids are teaching me. To know when I’m happy to be somewhere and in good company, and to express it.

So, dear blogging friends, I’m glad you are here. Thank you for reading.

ON A RELATED NOTE: Vicki Atkinson and I were lucky enough to talk with Edgerton award winning playwright, musician and author, Jack Canfora on the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast episode released today. Part of the conversation is about how our writing is one way we show up. It’s a delightfully fun and interesting episode, please listen! Episode 55: Master Class in Creativity with Jack Canfora Part I. Also, there’s a bonus video clip in that linked post.

51 thoughts on “I’m Glad You’re Here”

  5. These are sentiments we often forget to express as we get older and more “sophisticated”, almost as if expressing them may indicate we’re on the “simple” side! It’s a small thing to do, to help people feel welcome!

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  6. How absolutely lovely that your kids would express such a significant emotion to someone. It’s not just lovely for the recipient to hear, it also shows an impressive level of awareness on the part of the kids.

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Oh, I’m glad to be along for the ride! Thanks for having me. We adults tend to have a constant yearning for more. We always want bigger, better, faster. I know I do. Kids especially, when at play, have a great ability to just be. I’m glad my kids are grown, but I miss that part of the lifecycle. It was a great reminder for me to stay in the moment. I’ve suggested this before Wynne, your next book should be: the wit and wisdom of Miss O and Mr D. It would be better than any other self help book on the market!!! 😉😉😎😎😎

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    1. The wit and wisdom of Miss O and Mr D. Oh yes, they certainly capture the essence of just being, as you brilliantly suggest, Brian! It is a precious time – thanks for helping me treasure it!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. It’s so heartwarming how your children are grasping and expressing the empathy quotient Wynne. Thanks for the beautiful share. Enjoyed your delightful podcast with Jack Canfora too. Have a lovely weekend. 🥰🙏🏼🤩

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  9. And I’m glad you are here, too. My theory about blogging is that we find the right group of people who we’re meant to know once we appreciate that we’re all here together so play nice.

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  16. Thank you Wynne, I’m glad to have found you and I’m so glad you are here! By the way, I listened to the podcast, so good! You just keep getting better and better in all ways not just with podcasting! Hugs, C

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    1. Likewise, Cheryl! I’m glad I found you! What a lovely gift it has been to get to know you – and you are so squarely in vulnerable, funny, and kick-butt awesomeness! Thank you for listening to the podcast. We need to do another with you – maybe a writer’s conference follow-up?

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  17. That’s delightfully sweet. I’ll bet it made Eric’s heart smile. It’s nice they, and you, have him and that he has you. Letting people know, from time to time, that you appreciate their presence and friendship is a good idea. I appreciate your friendship very much, Wynne!

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    1. Aww. I appreciate your friendship, Betsy! I’m forever grateful that you were amazing to come up to Seattle with your hubby! We all love that! You’re right – we’re all lucky!

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  19. Your kids are so wonderful and sweet. Kids can be quite blunt about how they feel about someone so for them to say that shows just how awesome and genuine they are in liking your friends!

    And we’re glad you’re here too, Wynne!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, they can be blunt, can’t they. Mr. D likes to tell me to stop talking when I’m saying something he doesn’t like. But it does make their compliments so meaningful. Thank you for always showing up, Ab! I’m grateful for you!

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