take that cow down

thursday night is 'kids eat free' night at chick-fil-a. so we thought we'd try it out this past week. it was packed and we saw several friends there that night. because it was family night they thought it would be fantastic to have the chick-fil-a cow there walking around. we were talking with friends when the cow came around the corner.

suddenly alaythia was shaking and clinging to my leg. she was so afraid she couldn't even cry. i looked down and told her it would be okay and she said in a shaky voice, 'noooooo.' i could see and feel that she was beyond reasoning so i picked her up, said goodbye and walked to go order our food in the opposite direction of the cow. alaythia was quiet and watching the cow's every move. we circled around it, stood between her and the cow and finally got to our seat. as we were eating alaythia kept a close eye on where the cow was and made sure it came no where near us.

all of the sudden the cow started toward our table. alaythia started to shake in fear and matt said, 'alaythia, don't you worry. i can take that cow down!' 'what?!' she says in her cute little voice. 'i'll take the cow down, it won't hurt you.'

and then it was over. she was no longer afraid of the cow. instead she spent the rest of our dinner standing in the booth and yelling repeatedly, 'daddy, you take that cow down!' while pointing her finger and swinging her arm. matt would nod and reassure her that she had it right.

that was last thursday. every day since, no less than three times a day, alaythia will say to matt, 'daddy, you take the cow down?' 'yes, alaythia, i'll take that cow down!' but in reality, it's much more than a funny story. matt and alaythia have had a break through. it's like, she's finally got it - daddy has her back. in fact, today she said, 'daddy, you take the cow down...i no be afraid.'

oh sweet girl, it's a whole new world. you understand in a new way that your dad is on your side. and there is no need to be afraid.