I believe we all get messages… I call them “whispers.” Instinctive flashes of thought that most of us ignore, rarely act upon. Call them messages from God. Or maybe they come from spirits that are in our midst. Some think this as well. Or maybe they’re just there … to heed or not.Whatever the source, I had an instinct this past Tuesday to go to a movie. A movie possibly ill suited for a 73 yr old grandfather. But I went anyway.The movie was well attended. But as I entered the theater, I noticed quickly that there were mostly teen age kids in the audience. I took my seat feeling a few curious stares.“Eight Grade” is the story of a pretty … pretty confused 8th grade girl navigating her awkward journey through puberty. All the insecurities, body changes… the search for her identity. All of it.I have a 14yr old granddaughter. She is unique. Exceptional. As I watched “Eighth Grade” most of my thoughts turned to her. She must be facing so many of the same challenges, Kayla, the movie’s star was struggling with. More “whispers” came my way.

The movie depicted Kayla’s emotional turmoil. Friends, school, an infatuation with a boy she thought could never “like” her. All this fueled by her sense of lost confidence, confusion… not belonging.Kayla’s obsession with Instagram blew my mind! Flashes of photos, videos of friends, on and on rapidly flowing on a small screen. Blurring to me. No wonder kids today struggle with identity… they talk so fast (right?!). Just mind boggling! And how about the epidemic of ADHD diagnoses?!!I learned a lot about my interaction with my own granddaughter. Why all her one word answers? Why the seemingly disinterest at times… the quiet knowing with so few questions. This was Kayla. Yet in the privacy of her bedroom, she videoed herself. The complete opposite of her public self. When she was by herself she was expressive, open, opinionated… in touch with her reality. So smart.Her father (a single parent family) tried everything to reach her … from compliments to reprimands. He even ventured out to a mall Kayla gathered with friends to spy on her!Nothing worked. “Just leave her alone.” I thought to myself as the movie so obviously messaged to her dad.

Hmm, maybe I should think about this too. My daughter and son in law are so much more in touch with my granddaughter than I am. Let her be… grandpa. She’ll be there… some day. Relax. She’s got a lot on her plate. She doesn’t need her grandfather adding more pressure. Thanks “Eighth Grade.”As the credits started rolling across the screen, I bolted quickly from the movie. “Eighth Grade” had given me new insight. I learned a lesson.  I’m sure all the teens in the theater learned some valuable lessons too.