Word of the Day

TRUST

     Noun:  Firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability,
or strength of someone or something.

"Trust" is often a fragile thing, something we take for
granted or just expect to find and have in our
association with others.  I believe it is something
that must be nurtured, respected and maintained
through actions, thoughts and feelings.  It is not
something to be taken lightly because once trust
is broken, it is not easy to rebuild the trust that once
was there although over time it can often be done.

As I thought about the word "trust" an experience
we had with our boys when they were small
came to mind.

We were on a camping trip to the Teton National
Forest and Yellowstone.  We stopped at the
Willow Flat Overlook where there was a display
of pictures and information about the Tetons and
we could enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the
mountains.

    

The boys were excited to get out and run around.
In my mind I recall squirrels or chipmunks and a
few birds that they delighted in chasing.  We let
them play for awhile and then said it was time to
leave.  Brian, our oldest, fell right into step with
us, but Michael did not want to leave and took off
in the opposite direction.

After much coaxing we decided to slowly start
walking back to the truck calling out, "Bye
Michael.  We'll see you later."  All the time,
keeping a close eye on him thinking that this
reverse psychology would work and when he
saw us walking away he would come running.

I remember Brian getting so upset to think that
we would just go off and leave his brother, that
we didn't care about him.  With tears
streaming down his face he ran back  to get his
brother telling him that "He wouldn't leave him.
That even if we didn't love Michael, he did."
It was quite traumatic for Brian.  I walked back,
gathered the boys into my arms, told them that
we loved them and that we would never leave
them.  For the rest of the trip, Brian watched
over Michael and never let him out of his sight.

Parents and children place "trust" in each other.
Although young children may not realize it is
"trust", they instinctively know and believe that
person will take care of them and keep them safe.
That day Brian's trust in us, his parents and
guardian's, was shaken.  In his young mind he
did not know that we would not leave his
brother.  All he knew was that Mom and Dad
were walking away and leaving Michael behind.

"Trust" is fragile and is not something to be
tampered with or taken lightly.  I had a
responsibility to my children and I let my son
down.  I was taught a great and powerful
lesson that day.

Nola