Recently, when visiting with my five-year-old grandson, a memory returned from more than forty years ago. It came when he tucked a magical sword down his back.
At that time, my friend and I were the only teachers in our moms group—but it was our two four-year-old boys who were the wild ones! Their favorite game was to hide “swords” in their shirts, ready to whip them out at any moment!
Of course, the other children were quite well behaved and yes, we would get the looks from the other moms. It was certainly easier in the classroom managing children other than our own!
A few days later, I felt a gentle nudge to watch A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. I just love that Fred Rogers in real life was exactly who he appeared to be on the television: kind, loving, a quiet beacon of light.
I smiled when the story was told about a child with a sword who would not speak to him. Mr. Rogers didn’t push the boy. Instead, he told the boy he must be very strong to carry that sword—and then he whispered to him.
Later, he shared what he had said, “Oh, I just knew that whenever you see a little boy carrying something like that, it means that he wants to show people that he’s strong on the outside. I just wanted to let him know that he was strong on the inside, too.”
So that was the reason for the nudge to watch the movie! I wonder what our world would be like if all children with swords heard those words!
Now I can’t wait to see my grandson with his magical sword!
I have something to whisper to him.
💕Love always, Lee
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