Risk

This story happened several months ago, but something made me remember it today...

This summer, Davis's new preschool class (aka "the Blue Dolphins") held a playdate prior to the first day of school so the kids could meet one another. Davis was very excited to meet all the Dolphins, and the morning of the playdate, he set to work making something for each one. This something was a piece of construction paper on which he carefully drew a rainbow. Then he poked both ends of a pipe cleaner through to make a handle of sorts. It took him quite some time to make all 11 of these, and the last one was just being finished as it was time for us to go.

My heart was both bursting with pride and sinking with fear as he collected them to bring to the car. I did know that my sweet boy is pure of heart, and these little gifts were made with genuine enthusiasm, acceptance, and trust for the members of this new community. What I didn't know is how the other Dolphins would receive his gift...or what it would do to his heart, or mine, should the gift be ridiculed or rejected.

The gifts were a hit, as he knew with confidence they would be. The Dolphins immediately began to run around the playground, their contruction paper rainbows held high with the pipe cleaner handles. My heart soared, too, relieved that the inevitable day when Davis's little heart will be broken was put off for a time, glad that his gift was received, able to just enjoy the fluttering construction paper attached to such dear little creatures who, like my boy, were pure of heart.