My job as a mother is twofold. First, I need to keep my daughters healthy and safe. That part is relatively simple. Then, I must try my hardest to help them grow up to be kind, compassionate, caring adults. Although I’m confident in my maternal skills, this job is a bit more complicated.Yet, every so often, a situation occurs that reaffirms in my mind that my children truly will become wonderful women someday. Just yesterday, my 7-year-old daughter Jordyn came home from camp and announced, “Mommy! I stuck up for my friend today!”
I was immediately proud. Still, I wanted more details. Apparently there was a child at camp who is developmentally delayed and in a wheelchair. Unfortunately, several kids were making fun of him behind his back. My daughter, in her innocent second-grader fashion, told this group of kids that they were being mean. She then proceeded to explain that this little boy has a condition called cerebral palsy that is neither his fault nor a reason to ridicule him. Several of the girls then said, “Actually, I’m with Jordyn. We shouldn’t say those things.” With that, my brave child and her group of supporters walked away from the cruel kids. My daughter, in my eyes, was a hero.
It is never easy to stand up for what you believe in, especially when you’re only in elementary school. I remember times when I played with some handicapped children in my grade school, only to have other kids make fun of me for doing so. I felt good about what I had done, but sick inside at the teasing I received. Still, I have somehow, managed to help nurture my daughter’s sense of self esteem, enabling her to do what she believes is right, no matter what. Jordyn had no regrets about what she did at camp. Clearly, she’s learning the lessons I try to pass on to her.
Now, I’m certainly not naïve. I realize that, despite my daughters being kindhearted, sympathetic people, there may be times when they act quite the opposite. And I will certainly deal with that if and when it arises. But, apparently my children are basically loving human beings at the core. And for that, I will be eternally thankful.
Jordyn felt so proud about the events of yesterday. And the fact that several other girls banded together with her reinforced in her mind that she should always stand up for the good guy. I am fairly confident that she will carry this lesson with her throughout her life. And, I look forward to seeing the brave, wonderful things that she does when she is older.
It’s a sad fact that in the course of our lives, we will often be confronted with intolerant people. Luckily, there will always be those who are benevolent and kind-hearted to balance them out. It’s just too bad that the world doesn’t have more Jordyns in it. If we did, maybe we’d actually find world peace someday.
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