SHYNESS AND QUIET DAYS

  Sometimes I think my granddaughter is simply shy, but sometimes I know that what we call shyness is never simple. Perhaps a person we call shy might just be like a silent, peaceful day, one that we love for its serenity. Ava might be a person who’s pleased to share her peacefulness in a hushed, unspoken way – not always throwing her arms around everyone, but simply sharing the sunshine of her life by being with us in her quiet manner. The dawn of a lovely day doesn’t dash up to greet us, but gently presents itself in its settled and lovely way, and so does six-year-old Ava. When Delycia and I arrive for a visit, there she is, standing prim and silent, with a modest but shining smile. She’s shy, perhaps, but shy like sunshine on a mild morning.