Anyone who knows me knows that I love words.  I love reading them, using them, sharing them, writing them, feeling them.  I’m never at a loss for words.  Words are our great gifts. Words are the most powerful tools we have on Earth… and they are there for us to use.

I loved teaching my own children about books and writing and speaking and thinking… and all about words.  I loved my 30 years of teaching high school kids all about words in their reading, writing, speaking and feeling.  The gifts of words.

But OH! Grandchildren and Words! I’m not sure if there’s a better combination!

Our first gifts to each of our 9 grandchildren have been books.  Books of all sizes and shapes, books by all kinds of authors and about all different topics.  All 9 of our grandchildren LOVE books.  Words. I’m always on the look-out for books and words and ways to engage our grandchildren in the love of literature… both reading and writing.  Taylor and Maddie loved to write little stories from very early on.  We often discuss their story ideas.  This past Christmas, Barry and I selected a perfect, personal little notebook for each of the girls to keep their story ideas all organized.  *We also bought each of the boys their own notebooks, too…

And this brings me to the little work of art that Barry and I gave our oldest granddaughter, Taylor, for her 10th birthday.  I spotted it in one of my favorite stores (I can’t give away all my secrets!)… and it just spoke to me.  Brilliant colors.  Girls.  Girls writing and drawing.  Creating.  Serene and busy all at the same time.  Perfect. I bought it.  (Well, I actually bought 2… one for Taylor and one for Maddie, who turns 10 in April.  But SHHHHHHHH… don’t spoil the gift!)

Barry and I gave Taylor the work of art on her birthday… a couple of weeks ago.  She loved it.  She loved the girl in the painting who is wearing the brown beret.  The girl spoke to her.  And the girl wearing the brown beret who spoke to Taylor also spoke to me!  That night, I went home and searched the internet for a brown beret… just like the one in the painting.  I found one.  I bought three.  One for Taylor, one for Maddie and one for me.  I had each of them monogrammed with our first initials… a blue T, a pink M and a purple S.

Taylor LOVES her beret, and I explained that when she wears it, she will feel words and ideas and lovely art work.  She’ll feel creativity.  She’ll feel like the girl in the painting. I think the beret is one of the most perfect gifts I’ve ever given to anyone.  (SHHHHHHH again… because Maddie will be getting her painting and her beret in April… unless I can’t wait another moment!)

I’m looking forward to a little Beret Parade with my 2 special granddaughters. I’m looking forward to hearing their ideas and words and seeing them come to life.  I’m looking forward to using beautiful WORDS with my beautiful girls.  Special words with special girls.  Reading, writing, sharing, drawing, CREATING.

Such a simple little gift.  Such a great big world to capture while wearing it!

(*We do have a little notion of what to buy the boys. Barry was against the berets for them.  A story for another post.)