Theme: Controlling fear

The fear

It was Sunday. Rodrigo was at home. But instead of resting or having fun, the boy was worried. From early on, the sky was cloudy. The forecast was for heavy rains throughout the day. And Rodrigo didn't feel good on days like this. He felt insecurity and even sadness. He couldn't wait for the rain to end.

When Rodrigo was little, on a day of very heavy rain, when the family was not at home, Rex, their dog, frightened by the thunder, jumped the gate and ran away. When they arrived, they noticed the dog was missing. It was still raining, windy and cold. That day Rodrigo went to bed crying and thinking about Rex. Every lightning bolt he saw through the window, or thunder he heard, made his mind imagine terrible things that could be happening to his little dog.

Rex was found after almost two days. He was hurt, but he was taken care of and everything turned out well. Except for Rodrigo who, even without remembering the details of the event, he kept the impression of sadness associated with the rain.

His mother Tania, knowing what was going on, trying to help, called her son and said:

- Honey, I want you to go with me there to our neighbor Angelica's house.

- It's raining, Mom! - Rodrigo said scared - You can't leave.

- Yes, she lives near here, let's go!

Rodrigo didn't want to, but his mother insisted, explaining to him that fear paralyzes us, prevents us from doing good things and still makes us suffer. That's why it's worth facing fear and trying to lessen its power on us.

Rodrigo ended up accepting and the two walked hugging each other under the umbrella. So, right next to his mother, Rodrigo was not so afraid.

When they rang the doorbell at the neighbor's house, she received them with a wide smile and said, hugging them:

- Hi, Tania! Hello Rodrigo! It’s good to see you! Come in! Early in the morning I already felt that today would be a great day and it is!

- I knew you would be happy, Angelica! I don't know anyone who likes this rain as much as you do - Tania said, smiling.

- That's right, my friend. I had been distressed for days. Our cistern, where we collect rainwater, was already almost dry. I'm afraid that the population lacks water, for hygiene, to produce nourishment, to drink... Have you ever thought about going thirsty or hungry? God forbids! When such a good rain comes, I imagine God, there in heaven, dropping these blessed drops of life for us. There's no way not getting excited about it!

- Have you ever been thirsty, Angelica? - Tanya wanted to know.

- Thank God, in this life, at least, no! - Angelica replied smiling and raising her hands up - But I've seen a lot of reports that show rivers drying up, animals dying, people having to flee the drought and leave their land... I don't know, most people don't think that can happen, but I get scared. It's something that impresses me a lot.

Angelica had barely finished speaking when Gabi and Fatima came running through the front door. Gabi was the daughter of Angelica and Fatima, her best friend.

The two girls greeted Tania and Rodrigo and the mother asked Gabi:

- How was it, did you get Gabi?

And turning to Tania she explained:

- Gabi is very afraid of dogs. She doesn't like to play at Fatima's house because she has a puppy, even though he is small and nice.

- I know he's cute - said Gabi - but he still has teeth and I get goose bumps just seeing that little mouth opens with his tongue hanging out. But today it was better, Mom. Fatima was holding him in her lap, and I was sitting next to them for five minutes. I kept focusing on the thoughts we had agreed that he just wants affection and that he likes me. I also controlled my breathing, and I did it!

- But after five minutes Gabi ran away and we had to come back here! - said Fatima.

- Okay, but it's great, daughter! For those who didn't even want to see the dog, this is a great victory. It must go little by little. Now you can go and play!

The girls called Rodrigo to play cards with them. Tania and Angelica talked a lot and made some cookies.

Rodrigo found the sweets delicious and asked Tania to write down the recipe and make it for him every time it rained. Rain was still falling outside and water was running out the window. But Rodrigo spent a pleasant afternoon, playing, talking, and laughing.

Tania and her son returned home, hugging again under the umbrella. Rodrigo was feeling much better. He had realized that the same rain that saddened him made someone else happy. So, the problem was not the rain, but what each one associates with it. He also realized that it's normal to be scared. He loved dogs, but Gabi was afraid of them.

She was trying to overcome fear by changing her thoughts and feelings and that was what he was willing to do too.

After all, a rainy day like that didn't seem to be so bad anymore.

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com