We had an usually beautiful weekend by North Dakota standards. Believe me, if there's no snow on the ground for All Hallow's Eve we consider ourselves lucky. So we spent a few afternoons at the park running off that 'winter's-in-the-air-I-just-know-it' steam.
The girls had made friends with another little girl, probably four or five years old. She was on them like glue; obviously thrilled to have playmates (her father was sitting on a bench in the distance talking on his cell phone).
My baby decided he wanted to explore the dangerous terrain of a bouncy bridge so I was following close behind. The little girl got between the two of us and I needed to get to the baby quickly. I put my hand on her shoulder and said, "Excuse me, Sweetie, I have to get around you to get my little guy."
The ensuing reaction caught all of us off guard and caused everyone at the park to stop and stare. She immediately started yelling, "You touched me! You touched me! I'm telling my dad! He's right over there! Dad, she touched me!"
You can imagine how dumbfounded I was, finding myself in the middle of what looked like some sort of misconduct case. My daughters were obviously rattled, and they stood - mouths agape -- waiting to see what I would do. I looked to her father, hoping he would come and clear things up. He kept talking on the phone, taking no notice of his daughter's screams.
I rounded up my little brood and we headed for a different part of the park, still shaken by the whole experience. The little girl followed us as if nothing had happened.
My heart is heavy over this child not only because she lives in a world where one has to worry about strangers and inappropriate contact, but because there's obviously more to this story than meets the eye.
As I think upon that afternoon in the park, my prayer is that this little girl will come to know a Father who hears her cries and always listens. And that one day she will seek the wisdom of a Mother who knows her deepest sufferings and can comfort her every hurt.
2 comments:
I can see why this would continue to weigh on you, especially with the father's lack of reaction. That little girl is lucky to have your prayers now.
I didn't realilze you were in North Dakota! I grew up in South Dakota many years and am now in Minnesota, so by prairie standards we are practically neighbors!
Shaun, I grew up in MN! So, by prairie and (MN) standards, we're still neighbors...
Michelle
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