Never reject something a child gives you.

Not the crumpled drawing.
Not the dandelion with a broken stem.
Not the rock they swear is special.
Not the sticky hug.
Not the story that makes no sense.

When a child gives you something,
it is not a transaction.

There is no hidden motive.
No strategy.
No ego.
No manipulation.

They are not trying to gain status.
They are not trying to impress you.
They are not calculating what they’ll receive in return.

They give because their spirit overflows.

They give because love moves through them naturally.

They give because joy feels too big to hold alone.

And when you brush it off, laugh at it, or treat it as small —
you are not rejecting the object.

You are rejecting their offering.

To a child, that rock is treasure.
That drawing is sacred.
That wildflower is medicine.
That hug is ceremony.

Our people understood this.

Children are closest to the Creator.
Closest to memory.
Closest to truth.

They don’t give for applause.
They give because their hearts are still clean.

One day the world will try to teach them conditions.
It will try to teach them to measure, to withhold, to protect.

But right now?
They are pure giving.

So when a child hands you something,
receive it like it matters.

Because it does.

You are being trusted with something holy.

And the only thing they get in return…
is the look on your face.

Make sure it tells them their love is safe here.

AnishinaabeHealing
Art: Lucy Campbell