My sweet grand-daughter Kinzie is a year-and-a-half old, a wonderful age. She is walking and starting to put words together. Each day is a wide-eyed adventure for her. It is apparent already that she may follow her mother’s footsteps into education. In just a year-and-a-half Kinzie has taught and reminded me of some very important life lessons.

Every day we change. We grow, develop, learn. Our vocabulary expands as does the universe of our life experiences. Every day is a growth spurt if we take time to notice.

Cats need exercise. We can help by chasing them at least once a day.

Every closed drawer may hold great treasures when opened.

There is no better feeling than being held by someone you love.

A good book can be captivating, even if you have read it a thousand times before.

Food tastes better when you eat it with your fingers. Especially a cut up avocado or banana.

Empty plastic containers are remarkable. They can be stacked inside each other and almost disappear. They can be stacked on top of each other and become tall. Or they can be an excellent drum.

The world is full of interesting sights and sounds if we listen and look. Spiders hanging from a web. The music wind chimes make when rattled. Steam from the neighbor’s chimney (hot!). The feel of wet leaves on the ground. There are innumerable experiences waiting to be discovered each day.

Dancing to silly songs is a great refresher. And always brings on a smile, even to middle-aged grandparents.

Being bored is an acquired trait, one we can, and should, avoid.

You almost always feel better after taking a nap in the afternoon.

And perhaps most important, there are more people who love each of us — and enjoy watching us grow and change — than we realize.