Friday, July 01, 2011

Protector

It has been ingrained in my head since I was very young to protect my younger siblings at all costs. It is a memory so old I don't even remember being taught it - one that I have always taken very seriously. It stands to reason that I would pass this on to my children so that they would also do the same.

I think I began imparting this lesson to Gavin when he was 3 and his little brother Logan was born, and I have continued it with Logan now that Dylan has been born. The power of this lesson was thrust back in my face recently when Gavin was inside doing his homework and Logan was outside playing with a neighbor boy. Gavin while sitting at the table doing his homework looked out the window and did not see his brother Logan in the backyard. Gavin was immediately panicked and said, "Oh no Logan is down by the pond and he could fall in!". To which I answered, "You boys go near the pond every day why are you worried now?". Gavin looked at me with intense concern on his face and said, "This time I am not there to protect him." I assured him that I would check on Logan and make sure he was alright. Gavin relented and was relieved to find out Logan was on the other side of the bushes and not near the water. All at once I was impacted by the force of his concern and the power of the lesson I had passed on to him.

Having had that experience I now ask myself if that is the right thing to have done...