Granddaughter Lucy continues to inspire and pass on new knowledge. As she grows and develops, honing skills, pursuing new interests, increasing her vocabulary, Lucy always teaches me something. Often, she imparts multiple lessons.
. During my recent visit as she and her parents began their move to Albuquerque, the insight that stood out concerned her use of the words, “help” and “me.” Lucy used those words in a unique way, and she did so often.
We frequently combine “help” and “me” to create a sentence. “Help me.” Come to my aid. Provide me with assistance.
Lucy takes those two words and creates a paragraph. A two-sentence paragraph. One word in each sentence. And in an order we might not expect given what she means. But a paragraph nonetheless.
“Help. Me.”
In Lucy’s usage, the words become an offer that she will extend help to you. Or perhaps they become a statement of fact that she will help you. In some cases they rise to the level of a demand that you allow her to help.
“Help. Me.” And Lucy wants you to pick her up so she can select your coffee cup and push the buttons on the coffee maker.
“Help. Me.” And Lucy staggers toward you carrying your shoes which she will help you put on so you can go outside together.
“Help. Me.” And Lucy starts to pull the dishes out of the dishwasher at a rapid rate and you struggle to keep up and put them away.
“Help. Me.” And Lucy climbs up beside you to pour, to mix, to dump, to stir as she helps you cook. She stays away from the stove when it is “hot.” But most everything else she might do to create a meal; she tries to do.
Same words. Different meanings depending on if they construct a sentence or a paragraph.
Will Lucy remember this stage in her life? Will her first paragraph last?
Hard to say. It may. It may not. She may go through phases where she wants to help and where she does not want to help. What seems important is the beauty and the wonder of the now and the memories we make and the photos we take.
Whatever may come next, I know I will ponder what Lucy has taught me about the difference between a sentence and a paragraph.
I know I will need to say, “Help me.”
I hope I can also find lots of times to say, ‘Help. Me.”
Each item packed,
Along the Graybeard Trail 