Poets Square: Not Today

With my child was born an extra dose of fear.

A beautiful son. A precious human being. A small, vulnerable boy.

The “what ifs” flood in.

What if that cough is a choke? What if they bump his head? What if he catches worse than a cold?

But my son hasn’t met fear.

He coughs with ease. He smiles at strangers. He leans over edges.

Do i really want to introduce him?

To wisdom, yes. To critical thinking, certainly. To my own anxieties, no.

I don’t want to teach fear.

Because failure can be an adventure. Because people are only human. Because worry does no good.

For what is worse than fear?

Fear blocks listening ears. Fear turns learning into danger. Fear grows until it is hatred.

So, i will fight it.

I will let him handle what he’s shown he can. I will trust trustworthy hands. I will push aside the ‘what ifs’ as they arrive.

Fear will not win.

Not in this moment.

Not today.

Summer Hendry