It’s dinnertime, and my daughter Zoey and I go about our nightly routine.
Zoey sits at the kitchen table and studies this week’s spelling words as I finish getting our meal ready. It’s fresh fruit and veggies and homemade mac and cheese. When I finally place our dinner on the kitchen table, Zoey’s face lights up — it’s one of her favorites. She moves her pencil and paper out of the way and pulls her bowl closer.
“Come sit next to me, Mommy,” Zoey says, as she points to the chair next to hers.
I accept her offer and take my rightful place at the empty seat next to Zoey. She tells me about her school day as she begins eating her dinner. For a while I don’t even eat; I quietly sit and listen to this tiny girl, sitting at the table in her little red polo shirt and plaid wool skirt, chattering on about her friends and art class and the day’s lunchtime shenanigans. And as she talks, I can’t help but be reminded of a girl I once knew.
* * *
I am 14, and it is my first day of high school. I absently adjust the waistband of my brand new, stiff, plaid skirt as I stand in the doorway of a busy cafeteria. My other hand holds the lunch my mom packed me, and my eyes scan the room, looking for a familiar face even though I know it’s pointless to do so: I know absolutely no one in this sea of blue and grey-uniformed teenage girls. Shy and scared and feeling terribly out of place, I finally muster up enough courage to try and find a seat.
As I walk around, I feel a low ache forming in my stomach. I think about how I’d rather be back in Tennessee, having lunch with the friends I knew at a school I’d planned to attend.
This all-girls school in Ohio hadn’t been part of the plan.
I finally eye a table with one empty seat. The others are occupied by girls laughing and talking as if they’d known each other for years, and they probably had. But I convince myself their faces seem nice, so I find myself walking over to them.
“Is that seat taken?” I ask, pointing to the vacant spot. “Do you mind if I sit there?”
The girl sitting next to it looks up and gives me a quick once-over. Her eyes then dart around to her friends before she answers.
“Yeah, sorry,” she says in a way that leads me to believe she doesn’t really feel that way. “You can’t sit there.”
Before she can see my tears, I turn around and quickly walk away. I make my way into the hallway and find an empty bench. I put my lunch back in my backpack and sit there as I count down the minutes until the next bell rings.
The stomachache doesn’t go away, and every day for over a week, I go home with an untouched lunch.
* * *
A few years ago, when Zoey was three, her daycare announced it would be closing unexpectedly. Because staying at home wasn’t an option, I panicked and scrambled to find a preschool for her to attend. I called every place I could think of without luck; it was late summer and spots were already filled. But one Sunday after church, when it seemed I’d exhausted all my options, I noticed a sign hanging outside the school that belonged to the church.
It mentioned they had openings in their preschool classes for the upcoming year. I scribbled down the phone number on a scrap of paper from my purse, hoping this would be the answer to my prayers. And in case the prayers weren’t enough, I remember crossing my fingers for extra luck when I called the next day.
As I told the school secretary the story of our situation, I heard her flip through some papers. When she she did not immediately answer, my heart sank. I suspected the class was already full and someone had probably just neglected to take down the sign.
“Here we go.” Her voice came through the phone again. “We do have an opening in our early childhood program. And… I actually can’t believe it… but we also have an opening in our traditional preschool program, too. We almost always have a waiting list.”
“What does that mean?” My crossed fingers tightened.
“If you placed your daughter in the traditional program, she would have a spot all the way through eighth grade,” she said. “Would you be interested?”
In that brief moment, I recalled all the times I felt out of place when I moved to a new city and started a new school. I remembered the look on that girl’s face, one that silently judged me as I stood in front of her at the lunch table, my vulnerabilities laid out for everyone to see. I remembered feeling like I wasn’t good enough to be accepted into a new group of friends. I remembered the lingering stomachache, one that I used to try to convince my parents to let me stay home from school. And I remembered vowing to myself that I would never do anything to make someone feel the way I’d once been made to feel. Sending Zoey to this school would mean she might never have to feel that way. Instead, she’d have a place to feel at home, with friends that would be with her from the beginning.
Without hesitation, I of course said yes.
Over the next few days, we toured the school and worked through all the logistics. The school year would start before Zoey’s daycare closed. Tuition would be expensive, but no more than daycare had been. The school and church could offer a feeling of community and family. They even offered an outstanding after-school program offering enrichment activities in a loving and caring environment — a huge bonus considering I wouldn’t be able to pick her up until my work day ended in the evening.
Finally, with the details taken care of, the school called to confirm the good news: They were accepting Zoey into the class. They were inviting her to stay.
They were giving her the empty seat.
A few weeks later, I dropped Zoey off in her new class. Together we found where she would be sitting, and as she settled into that empty seat, she looked up at me, her face full of different emotions. I knew she was excited, but I knew she was scared, too.
I knelt down and leaned my forehead against hers, and said to her what I’ve told her every day since:
“There are only two things you need to do today: Be brave and be kind.”
Because to me, when it comes to acceptance, being brave and being kind are pretty much one and the same. When you’re brave enough to accept someone who others sometimes won’t, you are practicing kindness. You’re also practicing tolerance, love, and respect. As a parent, I believe these are some of the most important lessons I can teach my daughter.
* * *
When I picked up Zoey at school the other day, I found her at a long table, drawing and laughing and surrounded by friends. After seeing me, she ran up into my outstretched arms, hugged me, and gave me a kiss. “I’m not finished with my drawing. Can I stay a few more minutes?” She asks this often, and my answer is always the same: of course.
As I signed Zoey out, I noticed a preschooler playing by herself on the other side of the room. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Zoey stand up from the table to get a few new markers. Zoey picked out a few colors before she noticed the girl, but when she did, she walked over and knelt down next to her.
“Want to come sit next to me and color?” Zoey asked, extending her free hand out to the little girl. The toddler accepted Zoey’s with her own and followed her back to the table. Zoey’s little head bent over her, and although she spoke softly, I could hear the words she was saying: “Which marker do you want? You can have any of these colors. We can share. You can always come sit with us. I’ll always make room.”
Although Zoey shows me every single day that she takes all of my words to heart, in that snapshot of a moment, I knew that one of the lessons I’ve taught her will be everlasting: Be brave and be kind…
I let Zoey keep coloring, and I took the opportunity to keep her teacher company. We talked and laughed as the children did the same. And although those few minutes turned into thirty, I didn’t care. Zoey and I were each sitting next to someone at a table, accepting others into our hearts and hands and arms, and in doing so, we were also being accepted for who we were. It was far more important than anything else we needed to be doing.
* * *
And as for 14-year-old me at my new Ohio school? Eventually — just like it did for Zoey — things worked themselves out. I became friends with a girl in one of my classes, and one day as I walked into the school cafeteria by myself again, I saw her. She caught my eye and waved me over. When I finally made my way to the table, she pointed to the seat beside her and said, “Come sit next to me.” It made all the difference in the world, and for the first time all year, I finally ate my lunch.
Together we created a tribe of friends. One by one we accepted others with outstretched arms, and by the end of high school, our table was just as full as our hearts.
I even became friendly with the girl who first told me me no, because — just as I tell Zoey — it’s always important to be kind, especially to those who appear to need it the most. Sometimes I even remember to say a little prayer of thanks for that girl and the important lesson she taught my 14-year-old self, the lesson I’m teaching my daughter today:
Open arms are always better than a set of closed ones.
* * *
So today — and every day — be brave and be kind. Don’t let anyone feel like they aren’t worthy of an empty seat. Accept them, love them, take their hand, and invite them to sit next to you and say, “You are safe here next to me.”
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A very good post. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for stopping by!
You are welcome!
I love your writing! So happy to have found you…
Thank you so much! 🙂
You write beautifully! What a lovely post and a great lesson to teach your daughter, she sounds just as kind and considerate as you must be! 🙂
Thank you so much! Zoey is going to do alright in this world I think. 🙂
What a great post! I have tears in my eyes. I love the message that you are teaching Zoey – be brave and kind, if everyone followed those simple rules, the World would be a much happier place.
Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. Kindness will go a long way in making this a better world.
I’m really shy and that makes rejection even harder to deal with if I’ve finally been brave enough to speak to someone 🙁 I am desperate for my children to be accepted and accepting. Be brave and be kind, very true!
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” ― Henry James
I can totally relate tho this, i just to change school so often that i try to keep my kids in just one, successful so far, it is hard to be the new kid… great story.
Thank you! It really is hard to be the new kid… and it can even be hard as an adult in a new town or a new job. Kindness and acceptance can sometimes be in short supply in a new town or new school or new company.
This is beautifully written and a very good read! I love the advice, “be brave and be kind”… definitely a new saying that I’ll always remind my LO to live by.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
I am sitting in a coffee shop with tears streaming down my face… I was not prepared for this post! It made me think about how I would ever deal with my son feeling left out or alone. Thank you so much for sharing and for your honest emotion.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Not only do we need to to teach our kids to be kind and accepting, but I think we also need to let them know that they will likely meet people who are not so kind and not so accepting and that they will likely be rejected some time (or even many times) in their lives. It may not make the inevitable rejection easier, but with love and kindness in their own hearts, they will be better prepared to come to terms with the feelings of being left out of feeling alone, and probably better understand why it is so important to be kind and to accept others.
I absolutely love the message you are teaching your daughter! Those words are great! It is amazing to see young children and their capacity to love and care when we teach them authentically why it is important! You’re an awesome mom!
Thank you for your kind words!
Great post! What an important reminder of that lesson we need to teach our kids. You should be very proud of your Zoey!
A very touching account from the memories your little evoked. I have felt that way a time or two myself. Lovely post. 🙂
I love this, you are such a great mother raising her this way. We try to alway show our children to accept everyone, no matter what, we all have a story, and we are all connected in some way.
This brought tears to my eyes. And I assure you, I’m not just typing that for effect lol. My son is looking at me like I’m crazy. Every child who has to go to a new school faces these fears and I am so happy you were able to get her into that program! ((HUGS)) to you both!
That was a nice long read. Thanks for sharing.
This was so beautifully written; it brought a tear to my eye! I always remind my children of the importance of being kind. I think I’ll have to add “be brave” from now on too. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Lots of good thoughts here; you’ve really portrayed the emotions of the “left out” ones. We moved a lot and I got that, too, at times. Glad to see your daughter has caught the spirit of sharing and I hope she’ll always keep that attitude.
This is quite a long post. You could have divided it into two — but it’s hard to know sometimes when to do that because it’s all one subject. You could have tagged it Longreads, as well as Kids, Children, Family, Parenting, Opinions, Musings, School, Thoughts, Reflections. You’re allowed up to fifteen categories & tags, so use as many as you can to spread your post around.
It sounds like you’re doing a great job with your little girl. I teared up reading about her inviting the younger girl to come color with her. It means so much to know that you have a safe place and someone who is watching over you.
As I read this post I see how the role of parents is so important in the life and development of children. This is an example of the support they need also in their moments of fear, insecurity and acceptance. Great post!
What a powerful post. I remember when I was younger I was insecure and worried about not being accepted. I hope every day that my children will not have to face those insecurities and unkindness.
This is such a sweet post, I really enjoyed reading it. I worry often about my daughter not being accepted. You are a great writer.
This is such a beautiful story. Someone recently told me I needed to “toughen up” my 4.5 year old son. Being “tough” just isn’t who he is. I informed him that life will make him tough enough; it’s my job to teach him love and kindness.
Great thoughts and a sweet story. Too bad there aren’t more brave and kind people in the world.
Worthy of the empty seat! I love that. Finding something admirable and respecting everyone is so worthwhile. Beautiful story.
This is quite a long post. It sounds like you’re doing a great job with your little girl.
The link between bravery and kindness isn’t easy to see. When they play off one another though … it’s like, you know how good ice cream is, and how good root beer is? Imagine them together. Exponentially better.
Part of kind living is learned and modeled, but I believe the core is innate, something you pulled away from your mama, and Zoey is pulling away from you. And you find it in the world, or in places to share it, like with a new friend and an offer of any marker color she wants.
The power and image of the empty seat. It’s a symbol that there’s always room, both to invite someone in with us, or for us to find a spot where we didn’t think one existed. It’s the spot we can find belonging – and it’s not lost on me that the first chair offered came from Zoey – to you.