Julia Sims: Kindness counts

I always tell Will that I don’t care what he grows up to be as long as he’s kind and has a good heart. We’re only nine years into this parenting thing, but I like to think I’ve got a tender-hearted little boy who is keenly aware of the feelings of others.

This fall, Will begged me to buy the sequel, “Auggie and Me.” We read it together, and I’m glad we did. Books offer up opportunities for conversations. This book was filled with such opportunities.

One night, I got to a passage in the book and had to stop for fear I would cry as I tried to read the words. After a few minutes, I told Will a story. My story.

I explained how in high school when I was trying out for cheerleading I heard a girl laughing and talking about me. She said I had buck teeth and frizzy hair and shouldn’t make the squad. I made the squad, but I never forgot her hateful words. To this day, I still don’t like the name Ashley. (My apologies to all of the kind souls named Ashley).

Will told me he was sorry that happened to me and said: “Mama, I think you’re pretty.” And then we both had a little chuckle about my story.

We also talked about the fact that decades later I can still remember how awful she made me feel that day. Every child (and adult!) needs to understand words matter and kindness counts. So, while I don’t typically plug books and movies, do yourself a favor and go to your library and check out “Wonder” (or go see the movie) and then check out “Auggie and Me.”

As they say in the book: “If you have a choice between being right and being kind, choose kind."