I just returned from a long walk.

Big woop, huh?

But this walk wasn’t my typical neighborhood, or even paved path kinda trek.

I decided to venture off the beaten path, literally, and adventure out on a nearby mountain bike path.

I normally wouldn’t even think about walking outside at 2 pm in the afternoon- it’s far too hot in the August sun. But I just had get a breather.

My husband kindly offered to watch the kids and referred me to the course- but advised me of the heat, and proceeded to warn me not to get lost.

Thanks, captain obvious.

Seriously, though- thank you sooooo much, hunny. I needed the break.

So, I followed his directions, parked the car and found the trail. The tall grass surrounding the path was bending this way and that as the gentle breeze blew.

It was kind of Heaven.

Blue skies, birds chirping, grasshoppers hopping.

So nice.

I had walked quite a while before even taking a sip of my water-

“This is not bad. I can totally do this. I am not going to overheat, or get lost…pshhhh.” I kept repeating that to myself, between singing encouraging verses of songs from the radio.

And I didn’t get overheated or lost.

Until I did.

I got to a sign- held up by a rusty chain that read, “Trail closed. Do not enter.”

What the what…

Okay, so I’ll just head back the way I came…

Sounds simple enough, right?

• spoiler alert: I was actually going back the right way, but I am such a head case ( I saw this old sunken, vine covered house, and it gave me the creeps)-so I gave myself a panic attack… so here is the play by play of that…

********************

I start heading up a hill.

Wait, did I even walk down this hill?

I head to the right a bit.

But, did I originally come from the left?

I pull out my cell phone.

I remember that “Big Brother” thing where it knows where my parked car is- so I enter that and hit “go”.

After walking approximately 20 feet, Siri proudly announces I have arrived at my destination.

UGHHHHHH, Siri.

I enter into a shady area.

I trip over a huge rock in the middle of the path.

And over another one.

Okay, I definitely do not remember those rocks. Or those trees. Or that blade of grass. Nope, not ringing a bell.

Where the frig did that “Beware of Snakes” sign come from??/??/

I am suddenly having a hot flash.

Where’s that breeeze?

There’s a lot of rustling in the bushes.

I’ts probably a hundred hungry snakes and their babies.

There’s weird squeaking and loud buzzing and frequent flapping that are making me stop and stare at everything.

My heart is racing.

A leaf geeeeeently falls out of the tree and caresses my sweaty back and lands between my sports bra and my tank top.

TOOOOtally thought it was a ginormous spider attacking me, so naturally I SCREAM.

The kind of scream you hear in the movies. In the woods.

I normally would have fainted at this point- I’m slightly prone to fainting…

But I just picked up the pace. After I aggressively wiggled and wrestled the stinking leaf out of my shirt…

I have made it out of the shady area, and begin following the path ahead of me now. Until I get to any kind of fork in the road.

I am second guessing everything.

So I close my eyes, and breathe.

I can do this, I start repeating again. A few words from the radio come back to me…

I lift my head and open my eyes.

I see a large, shiny object- peaking out from the dark, overgrown greenery.

I remember seeing this! The old Silo!

Ah, I think I parked near it!

There’s a pep in my step now.

As I get closer to the Silo, it’s such a beautiful sight,. But I do now realize that I did not, in fact, park there.

BUT, I can hear the zipping and zooming of other cars, and it helps me remember that I parked near a major road.

So, I followed the road.

And eventually, I found my car.

Just as the gentle breeze picked back up…

You cannot begin to see the sweat in this picture….

Now, what on EARTH does this have to do with school and your child?

I’ll tell you…

We’ve been spending a heck of a lot of time searching and hunting for the perfect supplies to hold in their their new backpacks.

So, they have the right materials… but do they have the right TOOLS?

What else should be on a school “supply” list?

Dictionary.com defines “supplies” as ” furnishing or providing a person or establishment with what is lacking or needed…”

Will our children face trials, tests, bumps, heartbreaks and hardships unknown?

Some days, could they feel lost and out of control?

You betcha.

And we cannot prevent them from it all.

But you can supply them.

Not just with the stuff on the list…

No amount of glue will heal a hurting heart.

But a smile can.

No technology or GPS device will actually get them to the desired goal. ( Seriously, Siri…. ugh)

But YOU can.

You can provide them with…

Encouragement.

Lift them up. Every good comeback story has a character that pushes the MC down, spits, throws dirt, and meanly states that they can never be what ever it is that they are dreaming to be. But those unlikable characters and hard moments are crucial. It produces determination and grit.

So dust ’em off, show them how to get back out there and remind them THEY CAN. And even when they can’t, He can. NEVER ever, give up.

Believe in them, especially when they don’t believe in themselves.

They want to try out for the lead role in Les Mis, but have never sung a single note outside the shower? Sure, it’s a stretch -and they may end up working on the set. But cheer them on, and gently nudge them with the idea that now they have a new chance to shine. Just as there are no small roles in acting, there are no small roles in life.

And last, but not least, point them toward the light.

It may not be their final destination, but it will keep their heads up on the journey. ( think shiny Silo :O)

* and it doesn’t hurt to sneak a little kindness into their pockets…

Soon they’ll be walking in to the classroom with of all the latest, greatest, and requested stuff on that list.

But don’t forget to pack them full of what really counts…

This post is dedicated to my sweet Jane.