Gayle Yarnall UNPLUGGED - Helpful Hint, December 2001

This helpful hint has nothing what so ever to do with blindness or being blind but has more to do with being a person who travels and leaves a little one behind wondering when I am coming home.

I have a 4 and 1/2 year old grand daughter who I see on a regular basis. I also try to talk to her on the phone every night. When I travel she has a hard time understanding when I will be back home.

One time a year or so ago she really fell apart when she found out I was going away. I desperately struggled with how I could explain to her just how long I would be gone and when I would return. Time is a hard thing for a little one to grasp. All time before this minute is yesterday and everything that has not happened is tomorrow.

I decided to put one chocolate kiss for each day I would be gone into a plastic bag. I explained that she should eat one kiss every night after dinner and I would be back when the bag was empty. I put one extra kiss in the bag just in case my plane was delayed. This worked like magic. She was so happy that I was home when there was still one kiss in the bag that she made my home coming even more special.

If you don't feel good about using candy for this you could you quarters that get put into a piggy bank. I just thought the kisses were kind of symbolic.back to list