Pocket Full of Brave

I don't know about you but I don't always feel like I have all the strength it takes to get me to some of the places I need to go.  I like to feel like I can reach into my pocket and pull out a whole lot of bravery and strength and then share this with my children.  I put my brave face on and just go for whatever it is that has to be done.  Today my boy had to give a little blood and this was not his first time, in fact I can't tell you how many times he has had this done.  Unfortunately this doesn't make it any easier.  I am not one of those moms that sugar coats all the bad stuff for my kids; I like for them to know what they have coming...no surprises.  So on our way over I am preparing him for what lies ahead.  I tell him we are going in and he will get poked in the arm.  I keep it simple until we are in the chair with the nurse and then I tell him this poke will not feel good but you will be fine, we are going to be brave together.  For some strange reason he sits still and screams threw the whole process, thank goodness for the sitting still part.  When it is all over they wrap his arm up in blue gauze as if it where some kind of present to be opened later and then enjoyed.  My boy hated this as much as he hated the poke in the arm, in fact he wasn't going to leave until they unwrapped his arm.  We left crying and passing everyone waiting for their turn to get poked and then wrapped like a present.  I know I am not the only mom that has ever said this, but I wish I could just take the pain so my kids don't feel it.  When I have to have blood drawn I never look, but when E was having his drawn I totally watched so I could make sure the whole process went as planned.  He was so brave today and I think he would have been without the extra brave I gave him from my pocket.  His sister says that he is so brave and she is always so proud of him.  So here is to having all kinds of bravery and strength stored in our pockets because we don't always feel brave and that is OK.