Our dear little Sarah is a sweet and very sensitive girl. On one occasion, mommy reads 'Thumbelina' to her [that has since become her favorite story] and when it came to the part when Thumbelina sits on a lily pad and cries because she is alone and misses her mom, Sarah's mouth starts to droop. As the story progresses and Thumbelina finds herself yet in another of those lonely situations, Sarah now looks really sad and 2 teardrops start to trickle down her face. At the climax, she buries her head in mommy's lap and cries. Mommy knows that Sarah is beginning to understand and follow plots in storybooks and at the same time, her heart is warmed to know that Sarah is a sensitive little toddler.
The other occasion just happened last night when Sarah first watched 'Dumbo'. To the many who do not know the story [neither did I until last night], Dumbo is a baby elephant who has very extraordinarily huge flapping ears but one who is very loved by his mommy. As the story goes, Dumbo is often the butt of jokes. During one of the circus performances, Dumbo was bullied by some inconsiderate boys. Seeing all that was happening, Dumbo's loving mother flew into a rage in a bid to defend her poor helpless baby and eventually, found herself locked up in a cage and labelled as a 'mad elephant'. Dumbo is thus painfully separated from his mommy. From the point when the bullying started, Sarah's face has started to change and to the point of separation, Sarah was in tears and crying out loud and clamoring for mommy. Well, that's the end of Dumbo for Sarah and her mommy.
While, it is amusing for adults to observe these responses from very young children, I have learnt a valuable lesson - or more aptly, made some resolves. I am resolved not to prematurely expose little Sarah to the painful realities of mankind and life. I believe there is a time and place for everything. Whilst I cannot shield her from the realities in life, the best way I can 'protect' her and Samuel is to give her a knowledge of the great God who loves and cares for her and pray that her faith and relationship with God would enable her to stand firm in the midst of all of life [the good and bad]. God is more than enough.
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