“a load” according to Sammy. We were dragging about a dozen big bags of leaves about a block down to some trash cans. This was a favor for a neighbor so that their green waste would get picked up tomorrow. We were walking by anyway and figured we’d help. Sam was a real help dragging bags and pushing the cans out for pickup. We talked about how doing a favor is helping someone else out, doing something nice, etc. When I asked him later what a favor was, he said “a load” which is, in fact, correct, right? You bear someone else’s burden. I thought it was interesting how he interpreted it. (We had described the big bags of leaves as a “heavy load.”)

This morning offered another interesting learning experience. We were walking into tumbling class and had to go through a formation of Marines patrolling the area immediately around the youth activities building. They had guns, full gear, and even what sounded like a grenade blast. Some were crawling, others were yelling orders. Our eyes were wide. So of course this begged the question “Mommy, what are those men doing?” I answered that they were protecting us, making sure no bad people were around. Then I clarified that they were in Marine “class” and “practicing” just like Sammy goes to tumbling class and practices his sommersaults. He seemed to get it.

Later this afternoon he took out a couple little bamboo sticks that are usually his drum sticks and started pointing and shooting. He said “cover your ears! this will be loud when little things come out the end!” then he marched out to the deck and yelled “get down! get down! bad people are coming!” This is without any TV influence, movies, preschool, or big brothers. This is pure male instinct. I didn’t talk about any of this or role play it. I totally down-played the whole gun thing until I could talk it over with Dave. So, I called my dear friend Angel immediately. She has three boys, all teenagers. I figured she’d have some perspective. Her advice was so sage, I will share it: 1) make sure the child understands that guns are for protecting the weak, 2) introduce discernment so that the child knows who the “enemy” is (i.e. not the ladies from church who bring you casserole), 3) even God’s angels are depicted as warriors in the Bible. Sometimes it is necessary to fiercely protect yourself or others. Men begin this training early – they start in their own backyards and learn to slay “dragons” and “monsters” then they move on to other challenges as they mature, like trying to earn a living in a dog-eat-dog world. My little buddy is turning into a real boy already.

Seeing the Marines train was a poignant reminder to pray for each and every service member. Sam also learned what “brave” means today. We are blessed that Dave no longer goes to sea and is home with us every day.