Wednesday, May 23, 2012

On the subject of bravery

A few days ago, I picked MiniMac up from school with a soundtrack of a thunderstorm in the background. He told me it had rained on them on the playground earlier and he could now hear the noise outside. As we were making our way out of the school,  I asked, "You know what that is, right?"

He answered, "Its not God watering His flower garden, Mom. Rain is actually caused by cloud formation and moisture in those clouds."

For the record, I have NEVER told him rain is God watering His flower garden. Thunder is God playing drums, yes, but never a mention of rain and a correlation to a flower garden.

When we got outside and heard the thunder, he informed me the thunder and lightening no longer bother him. "I am very brave, Mom." I concurrred.

Later that night, as electricity flickered in our house, a thunderstorm blew in. From his room, MiniMac called up to us. "I don't really care for the thunder!" he said earnestly.

"I think it will pass, baby." I replied.
"Really, Mom, it is VERY loud and bright down here!"
"If you close your eyes, you won't see it," John tells him.
"I can STILL HEAR IT Daddy!"
Good retort my little man.

"Mom, I am getting scared down here! Can one of you please come down!" A statement, not a question.
I respond, "One of us will certainly come down but you told me you were very brave today."

As our tiny son's voice starts quivering, he replies, "I was only brave then because I was wearing my Superman shirt."

John went down and laid in bed with MiniMac until he fell asleep, but it made me think about his statement. Imagine if bravery were as simple as merely putting on a Superman shirt. I don't know if it would work at our age, but not only is it worth an effort, it is representative of the sheer power of belief.

13 comments:

A Daft Scots Lass said...

Perhaps you may have to invest in Superman PJs

Classic and oh so cute!!!

brokenteepee said...

I love the way the mind of a child works. If they want something they will get something...that or you have a jr. lawyer there.

Chain Stitch Crochet said...

That's awesome. It made me laugh out loud. He's so cute. And very honest.

Urban Earthworm said...

I think there is a LOT to be said for the sheer power of belief for good or bad. I don't know how many random magazine articles I've read in everything from Cosmo to Psychology Today to Working Mother that talk about faking confidence as a way to gain confidence (which incidentally worked for me - to a degree - when I was a teenager).

Then there was the friend of mine who was telling me the other day that she can't wake up without a cup of decaf coffee. A coffee drinker for years, her doctor told her to give it up, but she still needs the taste to wake up, even knowing that there is no caffiene in the coffee.

Huh. I suppose I need to find my own "superman shirt."

ipenka said...

Somewhere along the way, our imagination that we can be superheros must get lost...

What a cute story though. Hope he sleeps well tonight.

Unknown said...

Awww poor little guy. Tell him I am not fond of thunderstorms either. Even if I were wearing a Superman shirt.

Young at Heart said...

I'm still scarred when I hear thunder....maybe I need some superman PJs!!

Anita said...

Out of the mouths of babes...

We should listen to them more and learn from their innocence.

This story has made you, and now me, wonder about the power of belief.

the walking man said...

Rather bravery come from a superman shirt than a 9 millimeter Glock and a pint of cheap whiskey.

Talia said...

Absolutely adorable! I think I need a superman t-shirt.

Unknown said...

Awww....gotta' love that mini Mac!

Unknown said...

Awww....gotta' love that mini Mac!

Anonymous said...

If it comes down to a super hero shirt, this girl will be wearing a Batman tee. :)