27 lb. Superman

As trying as my line of work can be, there in the midst of challenge, are always rewarding moments. On a daily basis I am humbled by little people that are naive, yet innocent; unassuming and truly believe in the unbelievable. They, in their small form, can believe in possibilities that we as adults have mostly dismissed--be it because we have tried and failed, or that we have faced a life full of harsh disappointment and unforeseen turmoil. Perhaps, the mere thought of hurt, or "what might happen if I believed in, or tried that" intimidates us to the point of leading safe, yet scared lives. I have a small child in my classroom, and when I say small, I mean tiny. I work with three year olds and although they are all small, this little boy is abnormally small. He is not a dwarf, but he has a condition that makes him unable to grow at a normal rate. He has to have daily shots of hormones to aid in his development. At a diminutive 27 lbs, I believe that his heart counts for half of that weight. As I sat on the floor with him the other day, he was engaging in childish, imaginary games, and decided that he wanted to administer a "shot" to both of my legs. I agreed, and he proceeded to pretend to stick a needle in my legs and then bandage them up. When he was finished, I asked,"do you have to have shots to help you?", trying to better understand his world through his play. His little eyes lit up and a smile broke across his face. In a wee little voice he said with great pride, "Ya! Just like Superman! So I can be big and strong!" I laughed, and I was taken aback. For the next few days I pondered it. How is it that a small child's fragile body can be poked and pierced, in a such a painful and frightening procedure, and yet inside can truly believe that he is becoming powerful and superhuman with each painful poke he endures? I am in no way implying that we should believe that we can become superhuman, but why can't we, as adults, believe with every pain that pierces our flesh, our inner being can grow stronger, more resilient, and more faithful in what we can become. We need to realize that the pains and trials of our human form are small in comparison to the strife we will endure if our souls are not "big and strong".  I can only hope, in my ephemeral existence here on Earth, I can endure enough pokes and prods to my outer being, that my inner soul will grow "big and strong." Please don't misunderstand me, I am not wishing for a life full of pain and no joy, I am only remarking on the knowledge that there will be inevitable pain and turmoil, and I wish only to be childishly naive and innocent in believing that I am becoming better than I was, and stronger than I am. 

-Sam.