Walk your own path

I could hear the excitement in my daughter’s voice as she ran down the stairs. As she turned the corner and ran up to me, I couldn’t help but wonder what had transpired to bring such a smile to her face. Holding a small piece of paper in her hand, I listened along, as she described that she has her very own fairy. Read it she squealed, thrusting the handwritten note towards me. Over the next minute or so a father’s heart filled with not only excitement for my youngest child but also pride in the anonymous actions of her older sister.

You see, my youngest is a loving and kind soul who is interestingly both outgoing yet shy; open, yet reclusive in many ways. Finding enjoyment in anime, weaponry, and ancient samurai battles, she has become somewhat of a different kind of child, leaving her elder sister to experience a level of confusion she just can’t wrap her mind around. Being concerned that the child’s fellow students and classmates might find her “weird” her elder sis has repeatedly attempted to subject her little sister to the finer things, more acceptable things kids wear and do, to no avail. The little girl just continues along the path that brings her joy, caring little about what the world around her thinks.

As I read the words of the note, it became obvious what was happening. The note introduced a visiting fairy, named Sparkle, which had been traveling around and came across little Riyann and decided that she would be the perfect friend. Sparkle shared about her life and the things she liked to do. Centering on the fact that she thought Riyann was special and “very cool” the fairy described that she would forever walk alongside the child even if she couldn’t see her. Taking it a step further, the fairy explained that she imagined the family may be going shopping soon, so she left the child sixteen dollars to spend on something very special.

As I did my best to share my child’s excitement my mind found it extra special that the exact amount of the monetary gift given to Riyann from Sparkle just happened to be the same amount her sister had received from tips, that day, after helping in the family restaurant. As the child quickly retreated to her room to write Sparkle a thank you letter, I simply thanked Lilli, her sister, for her kind gesture. With a smile on her face, and a little shyness, she described that although she doesn’t understand her sister sometimes, she simply needs to feel comfortable being her.

The lesson good old dad learned from the entire Sparkle incident was quite simply the fact that we all walk our own path. Some paths are difficult, some are easy. Mine is different from yours and yours mine. The things you enjoy may differ but, in the end, they are yours and nobody else’s. The fact that we differ doesn’t lessen the validity of our life, choices, or desires. When we can embrace our differences and look no further than ensuring that we strive to lift each other up, it is then that our paths become a little bit smoother.

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from 9 to 29.