Laura Manzano’s Old Soul

One day I found myself daydreaming while driving my niece Laura to her violin lesson.  I was thinking about how I hated my life. I wasn’t happy where I was living, I wasn’t happy with the relationship I was in, and I wasn’t happy with how my career was going. But I never said a word about how I was feeling.

Out of the blue, Laura who was at that time about 10 years old, turned to me and said, “Debbie, you have the most interesting life.”

“Excuse me?” I said.

“I don’t know anyone who has lived the kind of wonderful adventures you have. You traveled to Europe and sang in concerts for people there, you’re an actress so you get to be on TV, and you can spend time with us whenever you want. Everyone else just works all day in an office.”

I just stared at her.

“And,” she continued, “I’ll never forget the day we went to your house and made cookies. You let us mix the batter with our HANDS! When I’m a grandmother, I’ll still remember that day as being one of the best days of my life.”

There I sat behind the wheel, humbled by this little girl. I no longer felt sorry for myself. I felt proud of Laura for her wisdom and insight. And I felt blessed to know her.

- Debbie Shannon