How to Be Brave

Emma has some experience with hospitals.

Emma has some experience with surgery and operating rooms.

Emma has been poked with a fair number of needles.

A few months ago, her nurses asked if she would mind allowing another patient to come an watch Emma's port access. Emma was happy to let a less-experienced patient come and learn. They picked Emma because she doesn't cry, and she handles port access pretty well. She explained how to be brave to this other patient - all matter-of fact.

I asked her again a few days later to tell me how to be brave.

"When you are scared, you just have to think of happy things."

I couldn't help thinking of a Disney song - here are some of the lyrics from Peter Pan:

Think of the happiest things.
It's the same as having wings

Think of a wonderful thought
Any merry little thought
Think of Christmas, think of snow
Think of sleigh bells - off you go!
Like a reindeer in the sky
You can fly! You can fly! You can fly!

When there's a smile in your heart
There's no better time to start
Think of all the joy you'll find
When you leave the world behind
And bid your cares good-bye
You can fly! You can fly! You can fly!

Sometimes it is hard for her to be brave. Sometimes it is hard to think of happy things. But this sweet girl keeps on trying and teaches me every day.