Last summer I was working in my garage when two minivans pulled into my driveway. The sliding doors had barely cracked, giving way to a wave of excited children who spilled with delicious chaos from the vehicles and into my garage. They had come to see the massive tree that I was preparing for Primary Children's Hospital. And although I'm always glad to have kiddo's in my space, the truth is that everything after that first wave is a bit a blur. Everything, that is, except for Susie.
Unlike the other children, Susie listened intently as I answered questions about how I build and why I believe it's important to create magic. It was clear to me that she had a deeper interest and I could see the little wheels turning in her brain. Since then, Susie has been building and creating like there's no tomorrow. So it made perfect sense to make her the caretaker of a few homes that we placed in her community
I provided the homes and Susie brought them to life. She has invested a great deal of time, creativity, and love into keeping the homes maintained for others to enjoy.
Recently, Susie decided that she would like to put on a fairy wedding. She organized the entire event, attended to every detail, and recruited a team of friends to help her bring her dream to life. I love that they enlisted the help of moms who were willing to help with the heavy lifting and escort them as they set the scene in the middle of the night.
I'm sure that there are those who would insist that this is just a group of little girls having a slumber party, but I wholeheartedly contend that this tiny wedding will have a big effect. Susie is discovering firsthand how creative expression can facilitate connection, contribute to personal development, and strengthen communities (all of which are essential to the overall well-being of individuals and communities). And while this kind of experience may not lead to changes that solve the world's most pressing problems, it can affect the development of a healthy self-esteem and shape how Susie chooses to interact with the world. After all, how do you change the world? One heart at a time.