Lessons in Powerlessness: Teaching moments with your children. Last night, Jacque was still up late in the evening. She heard some strange cries coming from the back yard, only to find one of our cats had caught a baby bunny (there are several who live in our neighborhood). Jacque loves animals and wants to be a veterinarian or a wild life specialist when she gets older. Her young instincts kicked in and she was able to get the bunny from our cat. He was wounded and she and my wife put some ointment on the wound and began the search fro where they could take the bunny this morning. In the meantime, Jacque look dup how to make soft place for the bunny to rest. The bunny did show gratitude by hopping around her and snuggling up to her. Sherrie reminded not to handle it too much and that we could not keep it as a pet. Unfortunately in the morning the little bunny took a turn for the worse and did not survive (whether it was too young or the damage was more than thought we do not know). Needless to say, Jacque was crushed and heart broken. I was getting ready for my day and gearing up to schedule with clients, I spent some time holding her and comforting her, but it was still overwhelming for her. I am blessed to have a job that I have a great degree of flexibility. Instead of face to face meetings with clients, I spent the day doing the background work, delivering items, picking up applications for people and doing online work with others to get resources. I took her with me for a good portion of the day. We were able to talk about powerlessness, and about how it wasnt what she couldnt do that mattered .. it was what she did do. She stopped the pain of the attack and offered the little bunny peace, protection and comfort, and in the end, I let her know that made all the difference to the bunny. Life is that way, in my work I see people hurting and suffering every day. Sometimes I can intervene and make a difference, others simply being present and helping them to have some solace, peace and a sense of safety is the help they truly need. The time with my daughter made all the difference. I may not have had all the answers as to why she hurt so much, or why she felt mad at the kitty she loves ... but as she did for the bunny .. I gave her a safe place by my side. I held her, listened to her and gave her love ... just as she did that little bunny. Always remember Dads to love your kids and be there for them. We cant always fix everything - but we can be engaged.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Sep 2014 02:23:57 +0000
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