I had the most stimulating conversation the other day. He and I were in a quiet room with no distractions, and I actively listened to his life story.
To say he has led an amazing life, full of adventure and danger, would be an understatement.
He has gone on trips to see live volcanos and he’s hiked in the lava fields. He almost fell in molten lava once and he has cut his hands on cooled, glasslike lava. He’s storm-chased tornados and watched them suck up cars, buildings and even an errant cow or two. He’s put on large firework shows and soared in the clouds from a parachute. He’s been next to trees that were hit by lightning and didn’t even bat an eye.
And, he has spelunked in a cave where a blue bear chased him. Yes, blue. Because, my conversation partner was four years old.
It’s fun to talk to four-year-olds and watch their eyes light up as they talk about their escapades. They’re not bogged down by pesky realism. The adventures they have in their minds are just as real to them as the ones they have out here.
One thing I noticed about my little friend is that he tends to have experiences with the things that scare him. Since he’s not a fan of lightning storms, tornados or any of the other things he talked about, he practices with them in his imagination. He’s a hero in his fantasy world and in there he’s not afraid of anything. That helps him conquer all the fears he has in this big, crazy world.
I think it’s a wonderful way to work through all the dark things.
So, I listen to him in wide-eyed wonder, oohing and aahing over his daring feats. Someday, he will put boundaries on what he chooses to conquer in the real world, but for now he’s soaring with the birds, fighting blue bears and having the best adventures.
And, that’s enough for now.
Read more of Ann’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
