THE BACK STORY
This week’s Story Time is based on an incident that I caused when I was in elementary school. Years later, my son presented me with an opportunity for redemption.
When I was in grade 5, there was a girl named Lisa who was always trying to kiss me. I would run away screaming and make a big deal to my friends about how yucky I found Lisa.
But in reality…I loved it.
You see, Lisa…was kind of cool…and very pretty!
Her mother was an artist and her father managed one of the largest public aquariums in Canada. He would take me and Lisa there after hours so we could feed the giant sea turtles and nurse sharks. It was the coolest thing ever for a 10 year old.
I wasn’t screaming or running away from Lisa when we were alone. It was different when it was just the two of us…I was different. No other kids, no school, no playgrounds, no pressure…just me and my best friend Lisa…being ourselves. She was awesome…and did I mention how pretty she was??
One day at school, instead of trying to kiss me, she told me that she was going to marry me one day. Some other kids heard her say it and started to make fun of her. I didn’t want to get picked on by the other kids so I joined in. It was mean and I was a coward. When Lisa started to cry…I just walked away.
Lisa didn’t hang out with me again after that day. Invitations to her home and aquarium vanished.
At the end of the school year, Lisa moved away. I never saw her again. Years pass, but I still think of her from time to time and about how horrible I was to someone who simply liked me….for me.
One week, my son came home from school and told me about a problem he was having on the playground. Each day, this girl would come up to him, tell him she was going to marry him…then kick him in the shin and run away. She did it every day…he showed me the bruises.
I asked him if he wanted me to call the school to make her stop. He said no right away. I could see there was something more going on.
So I told my son he could invite her over for a play date sometime. She’s been coming over to our house now for several months. They play great together. They don’t talk to each other at school. They keep their play dates private…and that works perfect for them.
She’s coming over again next weekend…I think I might take them to the aquarium.
Enjoy this week’s Story Time and please leave comments.
Cheers!
JOHN
THIS WEEK’S STORY
Marriage Lessons