I experienced a lot of mean kids when I was young, and at times, was one of them myself. I feel my anxiety creeping up on me when we’re traveling and Kyle makes friends with stranger kids. I get nervous about what they’re going to say. What they’ll teach him. How they’ll treat him – will they be kind? Will they pick on him? Will they push or hit him? We’ve experienced a little bit of all of the above, but the overwhelming pattern that’s emerging is kindness. Children have an incredible innate ability to meet new people and immediately become friends and just start playing.
I was inspired to write today by some tweens we met at a dive in Cottonwood, AZ – outside of Sedona. Kyle started the interaction by interfering in their cornhole game. He thought he was helping – I’ll give him that. Instead of being shooed off by the 11 and 13 year old brothers, they asked Kyle to join their game. They were patient. They were kind. They were accepting. They were engaging. These older boys even invited Kyle to come sit and hang out with them while we waited for our food to come. It was no surprise to learn that their 2 dads were just as welcoming and charming as their sons. I’ve reminded Kyle of the kindness those boys didn’t have to show him numerous times since that trip as he’s had opportunities to extend the same grace toward younger kiddos. The lesson hasn’t exactly stuck yet, but I’m confident we’ll get there. What an honor to have children like that. I hope my son doesn’t grow up with my same bitter sentiment. Maybe my mind can be changed too.
