little train friend inspiration
This weekend I went to NYC to celebrate my 26th birthday. I got to live out my childhood dream of staying at The Plaza, visiting a museum, seeing a play and eating yummy food. Overall it was a truly magical weekend. On my train home from NYC I had the privilege to sit next to a very precocious six-year-old. She was very inquisitive and I was able to have a very fun interaction with this young girl and her mother.
I was on the train before the pair and they came to sit next to me, the train was quite full and there was room for them on my row. This little girls was in a cute pink top with beautiful golden curls and ribbons in her hair. She was toting a little doll with blue hair that she was brushing with a tooth brush. This little girl kept looking at me with interest and finally got up the nerve to ask “are you from here?” referring to New York City. I informed her that no, I live in Connecticut and she lit up saying “me too!” clearly excited we had this in common, more questions followed.
I asked her what she has been doing in the city and enjoyed hearing all about her trip to the American Girl store, visiting with her sister and her aunt and many other adventures. She told me that her sister is married and loves in the city claiming “my sister loves New York, even though it’s smelly.” She told me that this trip was to celebrate her 6th birthday on Tuesday which I think it a pretty cool way to turn six.
Being a very mature six-year-old she asked me what I was doing in the city, I told her that I too was celebrating my birthday. She asked me how old I turned and was truly shocked that I am not only 26 but a full 20 years older than her. She informed me that “you look like you’d only be ten!” We went on to discuss our love of snow and how it’s always excited when it snows on our birthdays.
I also got to chat some with her mother, a lovely woman who is hearing impaired. She was so friendly and kept apologizing for her daughter, which I assured her was not a problem. Chatting with this little girl was akin to chatting with myself as a six-year-old. Watching the two of them conversing is sign language was so neat, this little girl could sign so much I was quite impressed.(She was spelling complex words! She’s six!!!)
The mother asked if I had kids, if I was married, both of which are a no. The little girl then saw my phone, he background is a photo of my boyfriend back in college while he was studying abroad in Australia. He’s holding a koala. This earned some major cool points. I then had to explain that no, we are not married but he is my boyfriend and that we live together close to the beach.
Around this time we were about 30 minutes from her stop and she kept asking me how much longer it would be and I showed her the list of stops. We counted down until it was time for her to exit. I’m writing this just after I said goodbye to this sweet pair, thankful for kind people.
Having just turned 26, speaking to a 6 year old was quite a treat. Seeing a young mind work to ask questions and comprehend things in the world is so fun. I have always loved chatting with strangers and today was no different. I love spending some boring travel time meeting someone who will be a fond memory.
Now, to relate this to art. I think meeting people is one of the most truly beautiful things life has to offer. I think this conversation happened for a reason. I think this little girl was such a reminder of how I remember myself as a six-year-old & it took me back to a place where I too was bold and fearless. I think having this chat made me remember there is nothing to lose from being like this as an adult. I think this will be a great push to embrace these dormant traits within myself to really push myself outside the box. So from my inner six-year-old to this little six-year-old, thank you. Thanks for reminding me what it’s like to be six, fearless, and incredibly chatty.
