Sometimes we need a moment alone

As I woke up this past Saturday, an excitement was brewing deep inside me. The excitement wasn’t because our family was planning on attending a special event or going on a grand adventure but rather, because we had our day all planned out. This year for my birthday my wife and I decided we would spend the day working on our property in hopes of getting one step closer to it being ready for us. As our little family got dressed and ready to head out the door, the normal pre-teen reluctance to do just about anything, apart from their friends, was prevalent amongst the girls.

As the day passed, our family had a great time cleaning up our property. Throughout the day the girls found adequate time to explore the woods as they found new and exciting things left behind by the past owners. As a proverbial payment for a hard day’s work, my wife and I decided that the perfect end to the day would include a four-wheeler trip around the property. With each rev of the engines, turn, and tree branch avoided the girls became more and more engaged in their surroundings. As I approached a rather intimidating hill, I apprehensively told Riyann to hold on tight. Midway up the hill it was evident that continuing was not the best option, so I quickly motioned to my wife, who was behind me on a separate vehicle, to turn around.

As both pairs turned, and headed back down the steep incline, our roles automatically reversed and now I would follow, and she would lead. As we traveled along, I remember thinking about how this life has provided so much good to a small group of people touched often with tragedy and how nice it was to have someone who could lead as well as follow when needed standing right beside me along the way. As a smile breached my face, I felt a tug on my shoulder. It was then that Riyann voiced the need to stop. As I turned, the concern was evident in her eyes. Upon inquiring why she needed to stop, she revealed, “Lilli’s iPod”.

Midway up the next hillside I stopped the ATV and little Riyann got off and began running down the roadway. Within moments she returned holding Lillis’ device. For those outside the family, fully understanding the gravity of the possibility of Lilli losing her iPod could be difficult. You see, Lilli had decided she wanted to transition from the cumbersome iPad into something smaller and with mom and dad adamantly against the girls having cellular telephones at their age her options were minimal. After much research she centered upon a much smaller iPod. It didn’t hurt that the iPod was small and for the most part looked exactly like a cell phone so her friends wouldn’t know the difference. Lilli worked hard and saved a great deal of money and after a few weeks was able to order her very own device.

As Riyan returned to my location with Lillis’ device, she explained that she was going to run up to the top of the hill and return the device to her sister. Within a short time, we all returned to the shop and prepared to head home. It was then that Riyann explained, “I think we need to give Lilli a minute.” Lilli’s iPod had been damaged and no longer operated and the child was devastated, and her sister recognized that she just needed a moment to grieve.

These two girls who so often engaged in open combat over the silliest things and have a love/hate relationship, as any young siblings do, proved once again that the bond they had transcended all pettiness. At that moment Riyann wasn’t concerned about what her sister did last, or the mean words spoken, she centered upon her sister’s wellbeing and emotions. We too must realize when the moments of pettiness must cease and when the time is right to step off the track and lend a hand to those we at times despise. Empathy does not show weakness, my friends, it reveals true, lasting strength. Strength is what each of us need in the moments we find it hard to stand and simply need a moment. Be another’s strength, for you never know when they might be yours.

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