scribblechic

A little girl perched on the side of the pool said to her friends gathered around her, “We’re supposed to be playing a mermaid game with THAT girl, but we’re just pretending. We aren’t really going to play with her.” That Girl was my daughter. Waiting eagerly at the side of the pool where she had been instructed to swim to by her new friends my daughter watched just out of earshot for the giggling girls to turn into mermaids and swim into the game.

With my heart in my throat I made my way to the other girls. Bending to meet them at their level and speaking gently I said, “You don’t have to play with That Girl, but rather than pretend to play you should just be honest and tell her you don’t want to play. I’m sure you are nice girls, but the way you chose to act was unkind.”

My daughter could not hear the exchange and her form bobbed anxiously in the pool as I made my way to her side. Eyes pinning me to my place she asked in hopeful tones, “What did they say?” I wanted so much to tuck the truth safely out of harms way, but instead I repeated the girls’ words. Fat, silent tears slid over my daughter’s cheeks falling into the pool. Then without a word she slipped beneath the water swimming toward the girls.

My daughter met the moment’s harm with hope, inviting the girls to a second chance at friendship. The tiny Queen Bee that had made false promises to play swam away. Another girl distinguished herself from the group giving my daughter a playmate and a reason to see the best in everyone. I was reminded there is power in kindness and possibility in second chances.

Tagged: Daughter, Musings