I Love Cheerios

Our grandson loves Cheerios

On our grandson’s fifth birthday, my husband and I enjoyed his company for lunch and presented him with a celebration gift. He was impressed with its size and opened his eyes wide to take in its measurements. He held the wrapped package in his hands and beamed a grateful smile at us. Gingerly, he tore the paper to expose a bright yellow box with its distinct image of a heart-shaped red bowl; a symbol on one of Canada’s popular cereals.

“Oh, Grandma and Grandpa, I love Cheerios,” he said.

He hugged the container with eager thankfulness.

“Sweetheart, there’s more. Look inside,” I said.

He removed the tape pieces that held the flaps down and peered inside. His little hands dove deep into the large box. He plucked the soft plush bear from its container and wrapped it in his arms.

“Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Grandpa. His name is Ivan,” he said.

We left the restaurant and strolled across the parking lot toward our vehicle. I could hear our grandson singing to himself quietly, making up lyrics about his new friend. For the next while, we shared in the development of a sing-song for him to present to his mother.

My husband and I agree that time spent with our grandson is like a breath of fresh air. We consider his love and kindness towards us as welcome as the countless number of round grain oats found in a jumbo carton of Cheerios.

Love comes in all shapes and sizes. One of the many places it can be found is within a child. A child looks to its mother and father for direction on how to conduct him or herself. For example, a house filled with a common exchange of ‘I love you’, lives within the heart of the giver and is absorbed by the receiver. The word thank you is considered a prayer. A prayer can be offered every day, as many times as you want. You are welcome, is also a method of praising someone. Offering a greeting is a way to express your gratitude and love for a person and life.

Love from a child is unconditional and is meant to be unrestricted and unlimited. God’s love is expressed the same way – limitless and boundless. You can receive love from many sources including yourself. Washing up in the morning is praise for your physical self, and expressing a prayer to God is praise to Him and your spirit. Holding hands with a child allows for an exchange of energy from one soul to another. A hug with your teenager is also an exchange of love. A peck on the cheek of your life companion is an exchange of kindness. A smile at a stranger is an opportunity for you to express your love of the world.

Our grandson generates love is mass doses. He has inherited this gift from God, and is developing its benefits from his father and mother, all the members of his immediate family and the gentle world around him. He absorbs love from his teachers who take the time to look directly at him when speaking with him, from the bus driver who accepts his loose change and thanks him for it, from others who watch him as he learns to swim or plays on the soccer field. Stand close to a child and you’ll be cloaked with the energy of innocence and love. Listen to a child and you will learn what it is to love all things. Speak with a child and tell him you love him. Hug a child for thirty seconds and glory in the exchange of positive energy.

Children are the most precious treasure a community can possess, for in them are the promise and guarantee of the future. ~ Universal House of Justice, Ridvan Message, 2000

His name is Ivan

His name is Spiderman