Please know the story I am about to share is one told to me second-hand. It is one that warms my heart, while at the same time breaks my heart because I was not there to enjoy it.

Monday, two of my kiddos had to have shots before school started. Fin, who turned four Monday, had to get a few shots before going into pre-K, and Sarah Cameron had to get just one before heading into sixth.

Clayton, up-to-date on his shots, got to sit back and smile, ask plenty of questions and enjoy in the others worrying about the shot or shots they were about to receive.

Fin knows about shots, but not enough to know the pain comes and goes. Sarah Cameron has had enough to know.

With her little brother sitting next to her, Sarah Cameron takes one for the team, as she looks over to Fin and says, “Fin, want me to go first? Will you hold my hand?”

For Fin, Sarah Cameron hung the moon. She can do no wrong and is someone he has looked up to since the minute she first held him.

For her to offer to “go first” and asking him to hold her hand must have eased whatever worries he might have had.

Sarah Cameron’s shot comes and goes and then it is Fin’s turn.

The first two shots are given, only with a little whimper and a stuck out bottom lip. Only one more to go.

But, big sister’s example and words of encouragement from mom only go so far. The third shot hurt. According to the nurse, “I know that one hurt a bit.”

There were tears, hugs and consoling. In the end though, not too bad.

With both Clayton and Fin, it was my job — assigned to me by Stephanie — to hold the boys when they received their first few rounds of shots as babies. It was my job to be the bad guy, while mom hung back, held her breath and listened for what was a solid round of cries.

This week, each of our babies head off to a series of firsts. For Sarah Cameron, she moves on to sixth grade, far more mature than I would ever give her credit for being. She’s still my “little bit,” but a young lady who I am tremendously proud of.

As for the “two terrors,” one heads to kindergarten, the other to pre-K and there are prayers already being said for a smooth first day of school and a smooth year — not necessarily for the boys, but for their teachers.

We are not the only parents going through this week with feelings all over the board, and I know there are other parents proud of the children they have raised, the people they are becoming.

But, not all of them have the ability I do to share it with so many readers.

Have a great year to all the children and all the teachers. And, as a parent, I now know something that hurts a little more than a quick shot. It’s seeing the little ones grow up.

“I know that one hurt a bit.” 

Tim Reeves is editor of The Vicskburg Post. He can be reached at tim.reeves@vicksburgpost.com.