I wish I could forget. I truly do. I feel like it would’ve propelled me forward and quicker. My kids amaze me with how quickly and often they apply forgetfulness.

Let me explain.

A couple of weeks ago, my son and I went on an overnight camping trip with the entire 5th-grade class at his school. Honestly, I was dreading going because I was worrying about all the things I had to do to make sure we were good-to-go (I’ve learned that when I dread doing something, I probably should go. Definitely, I should). It rained all day, and we had outdoor learning from noon until five in the evening (I’m not exaggerating). Once I got used to the steady rain, I was good. My mind completely blocked it out after the first hour. One of the rotations was a confidence course where students were safely tethered to wires and walked on them. The last station in the course was the zip line. While I was helping other students unhook from the zipline, my son came to me and asked if I could cheer him on. Of course, I was eager to do so, although I could see he was visibly uneasy at the sight of walking up to a 15-foot- high platform and walking across it: safely tethered or not. I gave him some “dap” and encouraging words.

He was ready.

He walked up the platform, and I waited for him to appear at the top. When he did, his teacher also began giving him a pep talk. After a short time, he decided he didn’t want to complete the course. His nervousness was palpable. So, he walked back down the platform. When he got to me, I hugged him and told him it was fine that he didn’t finish. It’s all good. His teacher told him he was proud of him for trying. I told him the same. He walked ahead of me and received help taking off the harness. By the time we walked back through the woods back to the main building, he was his old, happy-go-lucky self. For the remainder of the trip, we didn’t mention it again. In fact, we haven’t mentioned it since.

This is what I mean about forgetfulness. Had it been me, I would’ve replayed that episode several times, every day, weeks later. I would’ve chopped & screwed the reasons why I didn’t go through with it. But that’s not what my son did. In many ways, I am learning from him (and my other kids).

I’m grateful that he’s not like me in this way.

Well, until next time.

Love, Peace and Understanding.

-Herbie