Grow up?

So, I return!

 It has been a while since I blogged, but I have been thinking about the following topic for sometime, and have finally got round to sharing it.

We have a very chatty daughter. Whenever we go out, you can guarantee that you will hear her shouting 'hello' to anyone who walks towards us and, 'bye' to anyone we walk past. Ignore my little one and your peril, because if anyone does ignore her she will shout and shout until her friendliness is acknowledged. I do love it.

 She has always been very sociable and not easily intimidated. For instance, we were at a wedding last year, and as people were on the dance floor, our little girl found a guy who she wanted to dance with. You could forgive a child for feeling a little put off by this chap (who I'm certain is lovely), he was fairly stocky, with thick dark hair and a dark beard. He was holding a pint and was generally looking very rugged and butch. Our little one walked up to him and wanted to hold his hands and dance with him. At that moment he could only offer her one hand...not good enough for my offspring! In her own way, she requested his second hand, and reduced this poor chap (a total stranger to us) to putting down his beer and dancing with her.

 I find myself feeling proud of this unique little characteristic. As we walk past people and I see a man or lady smile at her as she waves and says hello. I love seeing their expressions change as they encounter a two year old little girl. Naturally, as we walk somewhere on our own, we don't wear a permanent smile on our faces, and sometimes people can look a little unapproachable. But seeing those people smile at my babe, makes me feel very happy.

 I then wondered if a smile can change someone's day or mood. Or if a simple and innocent 'hello' from a child could be effective to cheering anybody up. If it can then, could a simple 'hello' from an adult affect anybody in a similar way? The chances are we won't really know, but it's no big deal to smile, so even if it has no effect- What have we lost?

 What have we lost, between that dis-inhibited age of happily smiling at strangers, and the suspicious age of thinking that smiling at strangers isn't right?

 I don't know. It's probably lots of things starting at 'stranger danger' and ending at all sorts! I'm aware that people can sometimes turn out not to be very nice, and agree that there should be caution taken regarding children and strangers. But I think the majority of people in this world are 'normal' and pleasant people. I realise that this contradicts my previous blog 'Doctor Doctor!' a little, because I am the most suspicious and not-happy-to-chat-to-strangers person I know!

But my little girl has changed something recently, and I have enjoyed laughing with strangers as my little one waves and shouts greetings at them.

 I'm not sure that it's entirely appropriate for me to shout at people in the street, but really, what would be wrong with smiling more at people?

 My two year old has unknowingly inspired me to be more like her. I will do my best to find the balance between instilling caution regarding strangers as she grows up, and encouraging her to remain outgoing, confident and friendly.

 As for me, maybe I could grow down a little.