There's a hero inside all of us

I've never made is a secret that I think my kid is pretty damn awesome and yeah, I totally cop to a bias here, but she continues to amaze me every. single. day. From her generosity with her friends to her reading to her little brother; from loving to make up stories about the Princess Rescue Squad to racing around the house playing Star Wars, she is full of life and joy. Exactly as a 7 year old should be. But she is also wise beyond her years and stronger than most adults can ever hope to be.

She has been having a wonderful summer so far; her confidence is through the roof, not only with swimming but also in being around other kids. Her naturally reserved nature was overcome by the unifying force of Monster High dolls that she brings every day to share with the girls when they are tired of swimming. (Again with the generosity theme.) She'll play and share with everyone and counts among her friends a rising 6th grader and a rising 4th grader, all from school. They were in the same before/after care program and just naturally took care of her all year. Yesterday, she returned the favor.

While playing with the rising 6th grader, P,  a new addition to the camp decided to crown herself as 'Queen Bee' and told the girls that she was 'awesome'. Okay, fine, whatever but the girl didn't stop there. According to Noelle, she then started to make fun of P, calling her names and gradually, the other girls joined in the mocking before flocking around their new mistress and leaving. P was in tears but Noelle, she stayed. She stayed with P the rest of the day, playing with her and just being there, being her friend. And Dylan told me at the end of the day when he picked her up from the camp bus stop, P stopped Noelle and gave her a huge hug. The simple act of being a friend made things better for another little girl and maybe, hopefully, helped her reclaim her confidence.

Noelle may not fully understand why Dylan and I are so proud of her but I'm much less worried about her now. She'll have challenges as all kids do but her moral compass? That bad boy points straight north and I pity the fool who messes with her. By her actions, she showed P that the other girls were wrong, that P is great just as she is and maybe, just maybe, taught those girls a lesson about doing what's right versus what's easy. It's hard to be on the receiving end of such actions but just one person staying with you makes all the difference in the world. And when push comes to shove, it doesn't matter who you have sticking up for you, all that matters is that someone is, for as Galadriel told Frodo, even the smallest person can change the course of history.

You keep on rocking with your bad self baby girl; you got this. Bullies of the world, you're on notice: Noelle Lange is in the house and your time has just run out.