Ditching My Promise

 

An important lesson I learned from my cousins in Star Valley Wyoming was that they were the luckiest people in the world and I was the unluckiest.

It didn’t matter what we were doing because if anyone was going to be embarrassed, laughed at, frustrated, or get into trouble, it would be me. I am sharing this story because I want to illustrate one simple fact: If I hadn’t had a sense of humor I would not have survived childhood!

This story began one Sunday afternoon shortly after I arrived in Star Valley for a visit. I begged Dad to let me go play with my cousins until church. He said, “OK!” but then added, “Don’t get your clothes dirty!” I assured him that I would be careful.

As I was walking towards their house I noticed that Gary, Roger, and several other cousins were swinging across the ditch on a rope swing. They invited me to try it.

I told them that the rope would break and I would get my clothes wet. They laughed and proceeded to show me that it wouldn’t break. Roger and Gary each weighed at least 40 pounds more than me. They demonstrated the strength of the rope by successfully swinging across the ditch.

It was my turn so I grabbed the rope and started swinging. Just as I predicted the rope broke right in the middle of the ditch. Obviously I got wet, my promise to dad was broken, everyone started laughing, and I couldn’t resist so I joined in until the reality of having to face my DAD struck me!

I broke a promise that I intended to keep. I knew when I grabbed hold of that rope that I was taking a chance but the fun seemed worth the risk. Dad was more disappointed than angry.

The resiliency concept is obvious, ‘parents know best’. However, when children do something wrong, then that is the time to love them and be patient with them and understand them.

P.S. It doesn’t hurt to laugh with your child, either!

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