The heart of our work---my reminder is Sophia
 
Last week I spent an evening with my Granddaughter, Sophia who I fondly refer to as “Little Jaguar”. This weekly time with her is sacred and no matter what else is happening in life it is a commitment I honor.   
 
Not long after I arrived at her home was the moment where she decided to learn how to pull herself up to the couch and take a few steps on her own. (She is 10 months old.) She shrieked with excitement and laughter. The pure joy of witnessing her spirit’s expression of reaching this new milestone was pure pleasure. Just thinking of that moment makes me smile.
 
I can honestly tell you I don’t recall the purity of this pleasure when I was a young mother and my own children were learning new things. But it is quite true that grand parenting is an entirely different experience. You are not the person responsible for this young being and don’t spend time feeling sleep deprived because you were up half the night. That duty rightfully belongs to her parents.
 
The heart of all the work we collectively do at the Great Start Initiative is for the healthy development of Michigan’s young children. There is so much for us to accomplish to achieve our vision and dream. At times I know that each of us gets tired and fatigued. 
 

I hope we each keep all those “Little Jaguar” experiences and memories vivid in our minds as we move forward in this work---even when we are a little tired