A SMALL, BRIGHT PACKAGE
This article was published in the March 1, 2025 Edition.
The highlight of a recent week arrived in a small, bright package bursting with energy. A sweet voice and sparkling eyes brought new views and new perspectives to a number of things I have come to take for granted or to overlook as mundane or routine.
Was I treated to some wisdom? Maybe. Some clear-eyed insights? Most likely. A laugh or two? Absolutely.
Delivering those doses of light and optimism was my favorite 7-year-old who had arrived for nice, long family visit to the Eastern Sierra.
Here are some of things I learned, or in some cases, relearned while hosting the little sprite.
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It’s perfectly fine to have ice cream bars in the middle of February. And eat them outside in the wintry sunshine. In addition, you don’t have to worry about getting high-end, gourmet, organic ice cream bars. Something from the nearest gas station/convenience store freezer will be just fine.
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You need to think long and hard before teaching a quick learner how to deploy “the stink eye.” And you might even want to consult the parents before revealing such a technique to a 7-year-old who can easily find plenty of things that are “stink-eye worthy.” Yes, that would include the esteemed teacher.
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Never be shy or embarrassed when asking for help. It’s not a big deal. No one knows everything, so if you don’t know, just ask, whether it’s for help spelling “Mt. Whitney” in a crossword puzzle or help opening brand new tubes of paint.
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Don’t give a second thought to changing your mind when new information shows up. Example: going into the Toggery in Bishop to find a pair of fringy cowgirl boots, but then forgetting about boots and not even hesitating to grab a pair of high-water bell bottoms sporting a wild blue and white-line design.
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Likewise, you can put time and effort into choosing and then starting a painting or craft project. But then after getting into it for awhile you realize said painting or craft project is too hard or too boring or just not very fun. So you can just stop. Put things away. Walk away. Don’t give it a second thought. Onto the next project. No biggie.
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Don’t think twice about plowing past bedtime to keep reading and finally finishing a new book that you really like.
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There is never a good reason not to stop and watch a climber in a harness and helmet use ropes to scamper up the Shark Fin in the Alabama Hills. Amazing.
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While there is a fairly strict timeline for breakfast, lunch and dinner, there is always time in the day to make and bake vanilla cupcakes with strawberry frosting and sprinkles. And yes, it’s always okay to dig a finger into the frosting and just flat-out eat a big clump.
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Look up into the Eastern Sierra’s clear, dark night sky. Yep. That’s the Milky Way. Stars. Planets lining up like a chorus line. Quiet. Otherworldly. Mesmerizing.
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Making the adults walk through the cold-water spray at Keough’s Hot Spring is hilarious.
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Never doubt that little clusters of winged forest fairies are living magically under the trees around the house and want to share special gifts with everyone who believes.
Jon Klusmire of Bishop is reassessing his life goals.
