Arrow of Light

Today I got to experience one of the privileges of being a mother. I got pinned. The experience in and of itself isn't' all that great. I went up in front of a crowd and bent down so Taylor could stick his hand down my shirt to pin the back on my mothers pin. That is something I would be quite happy to live without. The pin was a tiny little gold pin with an arrow on it. Not all that impressive unless you take into account what it stands for. A lot of work, worry, and bribery. Tonight was pack meeting and Taylor earned his arrow of light. He was sure proud of himself I think he realized what it all meant and that he really had accomplished something. Our cub master arranged for a man to come in dressed as an Indian and do a little ceremony - it was the first time something like this had been done in our ward. The boys were very impressed and so was I.

While sitting there watching Taylor stand up front listening to the ceremony I couldn't help but think back over the last couple of years. We have gone to scouts nearly every Wednesday and pack meeting every month for the last three years. I was involved in scouting as a leader for much of that time so I got a pretty good look at what he did. More than a couple pack nights ended with me shrinking out the back door with Taylor by the scruff of the neck-so embarrassed by his behaviour I didn't know what to do. Den meeting were a bit easier I simply sent him in the house when he misbehaved, there weren't many meeting that went by without a word of reproach being said. Then last year he turned 10, left my den and became a Webelos. I frequently warned him about being quite and respectful and hoped he was. Well tonight, maybe just out of habit, I took him aside right before the meeting started and reminded him that this was his last pack meeting and please act appropriately. He looked me right in the eye and simply said, "I know Mom" and he did.

It used to be like pulling teeth to get him to do the character connection discussions - his routine answer was a 'I dunno" with a shrug of the shoulders. Yesterday when I was quizzing him for his review with his Den Leader he listened, gave some pretty well thought out answers, repeated the oath and promise without a hitch and seemed to know what he was talking about. Tonight as I watched him receive his award I was struck by how much older he looks and acts. He is maturing into a very smart and respectful young man. A young man any mother would be proud of.

He was pretty thrilled with the whole experience. I had previously told him that the scout leaders had arranged a special ceremony for him. So tonight when he came back to sit by me, he leaned over and said - "Mom you were right', about what I ask. "The ceremony," he answered, "It was special - it was awesome". Later he told Rick "I'm so glad Mom was a scout leader", Rick asked why, to which he responded, "Well because before she was a leader she didn't pay that much attention to scouts and now she makes me work on all my stuff and well, (he paused looking down at his arrow) now I got this." While I am glad he recognizes and appreciates my efforts in pushing him up the scouting trail I have to contest his claim that I didn't pay attention before I was a leader. I did too - I paid a lot of attention. Anyway that doesn't really make any difference now - the point is he accomplished something and he feels proud of himself. Scouts has made a difference in his life and I am grateful for it.