Emma Ann Clickman – you’re not an ordinary girl, you’re an extraordinary girl.

You have an unusual awareness of your surroundings, what people are saying, what’s going on.

While most other kids (and adults for that matter) are lost in their own worlds, their inner self, you’re constantly taking everything in, thinking big thoughts, concerned about issues larger than yourself.

My sweet grandchild you are blessed with a “social conscience,” defined as a sense of responsibility or concern for the problems and injustices of society.  Being aware of the problems that affect people, animals, the planet…  and wanting to do something to help.

A few cases in point:

• raising money for cancer (I blogged about this in 2014)
• creating thoughtful, impromptu gifts for people  (you gave me a hand-made bracelet last night at LaFesta and gave Grammy a necklace)
• deciding not to eat bacon (“It comes from a pig and I don’t want to eat a pig, they’re cute.”
• then after a few weeks, deciding not to eat meat
• helping your Dad around the house (you’re always the one who does this without even being asked)
• looking out for Jack
• giving your parents ‘free good deeds’ as presents (like taking out the trash for a Valentine’s present).
• wanting to go back in time to prevent Abe Lincoln’s assassination (see the precious paper below that you wrote in school)

Your recent decision to stop eating meat floored me.  I asked why you made this decision… Do you have a friend doing this?  “No.”   Did someone talk to you about this?  “No.”  “I thought of it myself.”   It’s mind-blowing seeing this kind of thoughtfulness, sensitivity and kindness in a 10 year old kid (you’ve had it for many years already).

Emma, I’m so proud of you.  You will grow up to do great things.