Emerging Courageous Newsletter 31
Sept. 7, 2003

Today's Message - "You are Special"
by Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel

Today I went to watch my six year old grandson Simon play baseball. After two hours of sitting in the hot sun, I waved goodbye and asked his 10 year old brother, Taylor if he would like to go get some pizza with me as it was mid afternoon by then. He was delighted so his mother waved us goodbye. She was left running after Grace the one year old. It was just too hot to just sit watching a bunch of kids running after a ball. We really wanted to spend some time together. After we stopped for a pizza repast, Taylor suggested going to the local Arboratum to see if we could find some "neat insects". Since it was on the way to my house, I said, "Why not?" So we headed across town to the University of Kentucky Arboratum. It was 3:00 on a Saturday afternoon and soon UK decorated cars, vans, and campers began to congregate as I pulled around the football stadium road when I realizing there was a UK football game that night. Everyone was tailgating at the stadium already. Thousands were already eating and partying in the parking lot as we drove on by. Since most the traffic was going the other direction, we entered the Arboratum grounds with no trouble. A guard stopped us to say we couldn't park there for the game. I told him, I promised my grandson a trip to the Arboratum not realizing there was a football game in a few hours. He smiled and said don't stay long or you will get caught in all the traffic.

As soon as we pulled into the driveway, Taylor hollared ,"Grammy, Grammy, Stop, Quick, Stop, I've got to get something." I slowed and stopped, whereupon he jumped from the car and ran back to near the entrance and reached under a tree and removed something from its trunk. After getting back into the car, he shows me a brand new green cicada that had recently hatched. How he had seen that from 10-15 ft away as we were driving by, I have no idea. Anyway, as it sat on his arm while he described how to recognize the difference from a male or a female, we drove on up to the gardens.

Taylor wanted to look in the tall ornamental grasses for some praying mantis. He checked several at the entrances without any luck and we walking into the larger bamboo area and then found some beautiful 10 ft tall plumbed grass. Taylor was sure he would find a specific species in there and began parting the grass gently as I warned him it was sharp and could cut his hand. He hollared out loudly, "I found one...there it is...on that branch...it's about 5-6 inches long."...naming the specific species." "I've got to catch it." And he starts scurrying around and groans as he loses it in the grass...He implores me to be quiet and listen ( to what? it moving? making a noise? I don't know? ) "Hear it?" he whispers, and dives into the grass and reappears holding the praying mantis...or should I say, the praying mantis has a hold of him...with it's mouth and pinchers as it is trying to get away. But Taylor isn't about to get rid of his prize.  He carries it gingerly back to the car as he has decided we better get it into a container.

After deciding we had it secured under a flower pot, we went back into the gardens and took a quick trip around to see what else we could find. He found another cicada...the other sex he informed me...and a lot of spiders...so I suggested he leave them there as I didn't want them in my car. I suggested he could find other food for his "pets" when he got home. We wandered around a while longer and he wanted to go into the woods. I decided that was a whole other adventure for another day so we  headed back to the parking lot. We checked to be sure the critters were still secure and then  headed on to my house. (Thank goodness it was the opposite direction from all the UK fans entering the road as it was getting closer to game time). When we arrived at my house, we had to find some plastic container to put his pets in and put holes in the top until he got home and added them to his terrariums. Taylor decided to leave the newly hatched cicada at my house on a tree since it was so fragile and young. On the way in the house, he found another baby praying mantis. Amazing how he spots these things.

We piled his treasures into the car and cut across town to take them to his house. He was so excited as he added his new "Pets" to his terrarium with his other live insect collection. As I got ready to leave, he solemnly stated, "Grammy, I really enjoyed my Adventure Today. We always have a lot of fun together. I love you Grammy."  "I love you too Taylor", I responded tenderly, "You certainly are Special." We gave each other a really big hug and a great big smile. We both have a warm place in our hearts for each other. We had such a wonderful time with each other as we always do . We will remember our Adventure today with each other. But this day is like every day we spend together, because of the love we have for one another, because we both know, we are "Special" in the hearts of each other.

From the Mailbag:
***These stories have brought comfort, encouragement and strength to those touched by them including myself. These stories are inspiring people to change and improve their lives. These courageous women are empowering us to do likewise by sharing their stories. Julie Weber

Emerging Courageous Online Magazine Featured Stories:

You too are special...you can paint, you can write, you can sing...just do it....don't tell your self otherwise...
"I Can't Paint, I Can't Write, I Can't Sing" by Cathy Zunker ....
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/stories/Aug2003/cant.htm

Featured Poetry - Treat yourself Special
Take time to be alone by Guy Finley
http://www.geocities.com/emergingcourageous/poetry/Aug2003/alone.htm

Quotable Quote:
"The greatest tragedy in life is to risk nothing". Joe Fermano
 www.positiveinstitute.com

***

*Help someone feel special today...
Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel,
[email protected]
www.emergingcourageous.com