What I Learned From Two Five-Year-Olds In A Restroom

I love it when God teaches me or reminds me of important truths through simple every day circumstances. It’s seems as I’m out and about, living life, that’s when I often experience great “aha!” moments and happen upon simple life lessons to learn from and to share in my writing.

One such circumstance happened yesterday evening.

In a public restroom. (It may not be what you think.)

My husband and I visited our favorite local pub for dinner. After all, it was Father’s Day, and dinner was his choice. After we ordered our food at our table on the patio, I went inside to visit the women’s restroom. I didn’t expect to have to wait in line, because the restaurant wasn’t very busy. But, to my surprise, both restroom stalls were filled.

As I stood next to the white porcelain sink and waited, I couldn’t help but hear two sweet, small voices, one coming from each stall. The exchange went like this.

Voice from left stall: “I’m Brooklyn and I’m five years old. What’s your name?”
Voice from right stall: “My name is Brooklyn! I’m five, too!”

I couldn’t help but stand there and smile. The sweet conversation continued.

Voice from left stall, complete with giggles: “We have the same name and we are five!
Giggles ensued from right stall.

Voice from left stall: “What’s your second name?”
Voice from right stall: “Sue”
Again, voice from left stall: “Mine is Sue, too!” (With more giggles.)
Giggles continued from right stall.

As they finished and flushed, they found out each others last names, came out of the stalls, and giggled some more as they looked at each other. They washed their hands, dried them, and left the restroom as best friends.

Two five-year-olds named Brooklyn Sue became friends in a public restroom.

Is that not the sweetest? In a matter of minutes, two little hearts were drawn together by two little voices. And lots of little-girl giggles. Their five-year-old innocence and authenticity welcomed the opportunity to be a friend and to make a friend, without anything holding them back from doing so. What joy and life filled that restroom! I found this moment to be a sweet blessing from above, filled with important lessons.

After all, how many of us can say we have made a friend in a public restroom? (I don’t think I have.) I mean, usually from what I notice, we go in, we do our thing, and we get out. As quickly as possible. Oftentimes without even looking at anyone in the eye. Let alone carrying on a conversation with someone. No way!

Now I know, having a conversation with a stranger in a public restroom can be weird.

But, does it have to be? Yes, some don’t want to be bothered as they do their business. I get that. But, I can’t help but think of these two little girls, just having a ball making friends wherever they go. Can we say that? Can you and I say we have a ball and make friends wherever we go? I hope so, but I’m thinking we might not.

You know? Little kids–especially five-year-olds–don’t get hung up on the stuff we adults do. They don’t care about the trivial things. They could care less about a person’s stance on public affairs, or what political party another belongs to, or what another person believes in. No. They don’t care about who is right and who is wrong, or the color of someone’s skin, or how much money someone else makes. Absolutely not. Five-year-olds are just simply living life, having the most fun they can, wanting to make friends (don’t we all??), and they giggle a lot.

We could learn a few things from five-year-olds.

Why have I gotten so serious? How did I go from a playful five-year-old to a so-serious adult? Why do I allow what others may think of me to affect my actions? Why do I tend to stay quiet instead of striking up a conversation with someone I may not know? Am I the only one?

Somewhere along the line in this life we were told not to talk to strangers (there’s truth to that, however), or we experienced an unpleasant situation with others, or we just decided it’s easier to stay to ourselves. Somehow we lost that carefree, fun-loving, I-want-to-make-a-friend-and-be-a-friend mentality. We grew up and lost the simpleness of a child.

I want to live life more like a five-year-old.

My name might not be Brooklyn Sue, but I can learn from the two Brooklyn Sues I happened upon yesterday. I can allow their example to motivate me in living more like a carefree, fun-loving, simple-living five-year-old. I want to make friends and be a friend, and to care less of what others think of me. To not be so serious. To strike up conversations with people I don’t know. I want to be friendly, to be welcoming and accepting, and to giggle a whole lot more. Even in the stalls of a public restroom.

So, beware, my friend. If you’re in the stall next to me, and I get up the nerve, you might just hear my voice say, “Hi! I’m Julie. What’s your name?” I hope giggles follow.

Let’s live more like five-year-olds today.

Much love,

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