Whenever our grandson comes over to the house to play, we trade greetings similar to what many people do. Usually, I greet him with an eager smile, howdy and “How are you?” He smiles back, a broad smile. Then in his most sincere voice, he responds with, “Great!” (Not just good, but great … and not a bored “great,” but a lingering, meaningful “great.“)
Today, many greetings tend to have a throwaway aspect to them. I’m not saying we’re not genuinely interested in how someone is doing; it’s just we have these greeting phrases that get thrown out and are responded to in casual, almost absentminded, fashion … we do this so we can move on to the meat-and-potatoes portion of our conversation.
When this four-year-old grandson expressively tells me he’s doing “great,” I’m instantly re-smitten with him and his view of the world! I find a thousand additional reasons to ask him, “How are you?” because I love to hear his sweet and straightforward answer.
I also know the day will come (probably) when his answer will change to the pat answer so many people employ: “I’m fine.” When that happens, I think it will be a loss. My grandson’s present reality is simple and unvarnished. He’s loved and cherished by a long list of people, his needs (and many of his wants) are taken care of, and there are few complaints … unless he’s gotten a little too rambunctious and has to be scolded and instructed to settle down.
I love that! Art Linkletter wrote a book years ago (and subsequently developed a television show) around the idea that Kids Say the Darnedest Things! In my grandson’s case, he’s taught me (at the ripe old age of four, almost five) something about how attitude affects our outlook. His world is great … why shouldn’t mine be as well?!