D - Spring = Skunks

Everyone has their own "Greatest Fear." Noah's happens to be skunks. He came by this fear honestly a couple of summers ago when he and Mike were out exploring one night and got the fright of their lives. The boys were 'spotlighting frogs' on the opposite side of the creek when they heard a thumping sound behind them. In case you were not aware, a skunk will give a final warning before the spraying commences. He will hiss and stamp his feet, and if this ever happens to you - Run. Run like the wind. That's what my boys did, and that's why they were still allowed in the house that night. As Mike tells it, "The skunk in question was about 8 feet away when they realized what it was and by the time they figured out that part, the skunk's tail was high in the air with the business end of the skunk ready to wreak havoc." That was the beginning of a very real and very deep fear for Noah Boz.

That brings you to present day. On Tuesday morning, I was driving the kiddos to Sonshine School and noted how nice the weather was and how glad I was that it's finally starting to warm up around here. Noah was very quiet. A few minutes later he said,

"Mom? You know, I don't really think I'm that excited about Spring."

"Why not, Noah?"

"Because that means the skunks will start to come out."

Later on that same trip we were discussing the meaning of the phrase "I got nerve" (also the title of a popular Hannah Montana song for those who aren't as cool as us). I explained what it meant with a brilliant example of climbing a huge slide and having the nerve to go down it. Again, Noah contemplated this. You guessed it. "Oh! So it's kind of like how I will still go outside at night even when there might be skunks?"

My poor baby! We've got to get him into therapy!