Chasing the Clouds Away

I've mentioned Sam's sensitive disposition when it comes to TV shows. Basically the most seemingly benign incident can terrify the child.

Last week we were watching Sesame Street. I wasn't really paying attention to the show but figured we couldn't go wrong with Sesame Street. I mean, Sesame Street, right?

Wrong.

The plot had something to do with Cookie Monster visiting a cookie art exhibit. He wanted to eat the art, naturally, but had been coached in the etiquette of art galleries. At one point a guard scolded Cookie for getting too close to the Cruncha Lisa, but Cookie was compliant and backed away. Later, when Cookie decided to take another look at the beloved Cruncha Lisa, it was missing. The same guard, who had stepped away for a cookie break (what else?), accused Cookie of stealing the painting.

"Turn it off, Mom," Sam said at this point.

"Okay. Sure. Why?" I asked, turning off the TV.

"I don't want to tell you," Sam answered. And then the tears started. So many tears.

I tried for a while to talk through Sam's reaction, but he really wasn't interested in that. He also wasn't interested in seeing if things had turned out okay for Cookie Monster.

He told me he just needed to cry. And so he did.

I think there are so many good things about this story and Sam's sweet, sweet heart. The kid seems to feel as deeply about things as his mother does. I can recall many similar incidents from my own childhood. The world just made me so sad.

I'd shield Sam from this if I could. But of course I can't. But I do plan to just sit there, as I did this time, and hold him while he cries for as long as he'll let me.