Evelyn and Dane brought home a small cardboard box from school the other day, in which to collect money for children's cancer research. We read the paper and discussed how sad it would be....to be diagnosed with this illness and in the hospital for months. After our discussion, though both children were thoughtful and felt sorrow for the situation, neither wanted to part with the precious money they had been saving up. I pressed a little, but could sense their resistance and so left the issue alone. But little more than five minutes passed before Dane bounded down the stairs with all of seven dollars and forty-five cents... his entire savings. He carefully placed it in the box and not another word was mentioned. This child of mine could not be more sensitive, more loving or more kind hearted. He amazes me!
This past month Dane started t-ball. Never having played before, and having a slightly (or maybe
more than slightly) anxious personality... the questioning began. "Mom, what if I can't hit the ball far?" "Mom, what am I supposed to do after I get to the base?" "Mom, what if I can't play well?" After carefully and gently answering his seemingly never-ending line of questions, I felt as though I'd done my parenting duty. Though it was going to be a challenging situation for him.... I'd shown that I was there for moral support should he need it. Yep, mission accomplished!
cute pic by Dane
It wasn't until later in the week that I realized I'd failed him. I guess I didn't understand how heavy the matter had weighed on his mind. Though it was a constant topic of conversation... I was unaware of the fear and nerves he was facing. Thankfullly, Dane understood
on his own how to handle the situation. Taking matters into his own hands, he relayed to me how for the past week--- each and every night he had prayed to Heavenly Father for help to be a good player, to understand how to play and to feel good about it. He then went on to boast that he was now quite good at t-ball and not worried in the slightest.
Ummm.... guess I should have suggested prayer as an option to calm his fears? Oops! Glad I'm raising such a spiritual child-- even without the intention on my part!
Go Angels!!!
