The girls also were told to each bring in a load of wood. So this little beauty grabbed the closest jacket to the door, which was her Dad’s, along with slipping on his very oversized boots without any socks. After she brought in wood she hiked to where her sled was, expecting to just grab it and head back into the warmth.
Unfortunately, the sled had blown part way down a heavily wooded hill. After trying to reach the sled with a stick in vain, she had to slide down the hill and throw the sled back up to level ground. Only one problem, with all those oversized clothes on, there was no way this peanut was going to get up the hill herself.
After several minutes (we are guessing around ten) she decided she had to take her boots off and climb up bare footed. This worked, but when I went looking for her, she was almost to the house and crying in fear and pain.
My heart hurt for her. Quickly she was whisked into the warmth and comforted.
Later that evening when I relayed the story to my husband, he immediately asked if I had informed her how dangerous her foolishness was. No, I had discussed it a little, but I had not told her how she could have gotten frost bite and that she should never go out without socks on.
Todd pulled this child aside and pointed out some of the dangers she could have brought on herself. He gave her a game plan for dealing with the unexpected in the winter. Namely, she was told of the importance of being dressed appropriately. Her dad also gave her options for when she is stuck that do not include taking clothes off.
In the midst of heavy emotion I was unable to guide my daughter for the future. My mother’s heart comforted and met her immediate needs. Later, my husband brought his strength of preparing her for the future, so this never happens again. Thank you Lord, for this balance, for allowing us to both comfort and guide our daughter.