my middle name is awkward

courtney awkward robinson. that name is a lot more appropriate than ann.

but seriously, if you know me well enough to read this, you know me well enough to know i can be very awkward. (sometimes intentionally, i'll admit.)

i don't accept compliments well. ha. that's the understatement of the month.

you like my shoes? oh thanks. quick change of subject. my principal told me i looked nice the other day and i completely lost my train of thought. took me an extra thirty seconds to remember why i was in her office. what? oh, no, my hair looks horrible today. i mean thanks. run away.

last week towards the beginning of my afternoon class we were playing with blocks at different tables in our classroom. i was kneeling to be eye-level with a small group. "miss roberson?" one of our students asked.

"yes, olivia?" (name changed)

"you're beautiful."

i hadn't been looking at her when i said "yes, olivia" because i was picking up blocks from under the table. i picked my head up and found her eyes on mine. i thought for sure i was losing my mind and she'd really probably asked me the color of the block she was holding or something.

"what, olivia?" i asked quietly.

"you're beautiful, miss roberson."

i smiled and literally blinked back a tear. "oh, olivia." i crossed to her side of the table and gave her a quick hug. "i think you're beautiful, too."

three year olds. their honesty is admirable. how am i, at twenty three, unable to express my gratitude, love, or admiration for those around me? when was the last time i looked someone in the eye and truly told them how i'd felt?

i later thought about what a gift olivia has. the ability, without shame or nervousness, to express her feelings. over building blocks! during an everyday activity, she completely made my day. what a gift. we should all take a page out of olivia's book.

i think you're beautiful! love, courtney a. rob