Two quick life lessons from my grandchildren. I have mentioned that I have grandchildren, haven’t I?

Lesson one from my granddaughter, the dancing superstar. Her recital was the other night and she was wonderful. She was dressed spectacularly (and knew it), and she and her classmates were flawless (at least as flawless as six and seven year olds ever are at such things). They hit their marks, did cartwheels, forward rolls, and jumped to the music, all while “Working at the Carwash.” Afterward, I told her that she had been fantastic and I hoped that she felt good about her performance. Her response? “I had fun!”

Lesson two from my four year old grandson, the soccer superstar. He is usually one of the smallest on the field but his super power is speed.

In one of the last games of his season, a kid on the other team knocked him down. Some folks would have started crying and stayed down but my little buddy hasn’t backed down in, well, ever. He jumped up and shouted at his opponent, “Why’d you knock me down?” The other fellow’s reply was the classic soccer response, “Cause I’m a ninja.”

Here’s what happened next. Flash realized that the ball was still live so he kicked it around the ninja warrior and into the net. Gooooooaaaaaaallllll!

Flash then looked at the ninja, stuck his tongue out, and jogged back down field.

My daughter wasn’t particularly thrilled with the sportsmanship but my son-in-law, who understands the intricacies of soccer, explained that was just a four year old’s way of politely saying, “I got your ninja.”

So there it is, some days you are looking good, hitting your marks, and feeling the music of life. Enjoy them. Have fun. There’s no guarantee that things will go that way tomorrow so savor it. Because, some days the ninjas knock you down. When they do, don’t be afraid, stay in the game, the ball is still live, so keep your focus on the main thing. And if you want to, in a good sport kind of way, stick your tongue out and say, “I got your ninja.”