This afternoon prior to recess, one of the little boys came up to me and asked permission to go into the forest. I looked at him for a moment, puzzled because there was no forest near by. I smiled down at him and responded, “I don’t think you have time to go into the forest over recess.” He came back with, “And it is too dangerous, right?” I nodded and he continued, “Because of the bears, right?”

I decided to go with it: “Yes, and the foxes and lions.” “And the wolves,” he quickly added.

“Right, so don’t go into the forest,” I recommended.

“OK, I promise to come right back.”

For my part, I promised to be right where I had been sitting when we were having the conversation when he returned. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw him dart in after recess. Shedding his clothes, he scooted up to me, literally threw himself into my lap before I could even blink and announced, “I promised I would come back!” I smiled back at him and nodded, “And I promised I would be right here.” He gave me a hug and bounded off to the assembly that was about to happen. I sit there for a minute and wonder how I got to be so blessed.

Then my thoughts stray to what lurks in my forest. We all have those dark places that require courage and bravery…and other people to reassure us when life gets scary. Do you have a go-to person when the creatures that lurk in your forest frighten you?

Peace,

Suzanne