Truth Bombs

(Or, Letting the Kids Teach Me)

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It might seem like a no-brainer to get two kids into a pool on a ninety-five-degree day in New England, but it took near magic to get my 14-year-old son and 12-year-old nephew away from their video games and into the water.

We can talk about why it is so hard another time. Today is about the win.

Once I got them in, we started making a whirlpool. As the three of us walked in circles, we invented a game called Truth Bomb.

Here is how it works: you dive for a weighted ball, and once you have it, you raise it over your head and say anything you want. The other two have to guess if it is true.

My son’s first truth was about where he would go as soon as he had a passport. My nephew’s first truth was about his love for my chocolate chip pancakes. Then it was my turn. I said, “Deep down, no matter what, I do actually believe it will all be okay.”

Before I said it out loud, I decided that whatever they answered, I would take as truth. I barely finished my sentence before they started talking over each other to insist it was true. They were almost irritated by how obvious it was to them.

They didn’t see it, because I didn’t want them to, but I got a little teary.

“Yup. You’re right. Truth.”

So now it is.

I know I can talk my way in and out of almost anything. Or at least think my way in and out of it. When I see inspirational lines like, “You deserve to be the hero of your own story,” my mind quickly adds, “Yes, but I am also the villain.”

Or, “If I can do it, you can do it.” Well, no. On some human level, yes. But in all the many ways to be human, no.

And yet, here are two kids who each face their own wellness hurdles and intrusive thoughts. The moment I said, “Deep down, I believe that no matter what, everything will be okay,” they did not hesitate. They knew it was true for me as clearly as they knew the water in this above-ground pool is the same depth everywhere.

It is the best feedback I have ever received. Even with all the self-doubt I can muster, they helped me cement, while wading in the water, that I do believe it will all be okay. And maybe I am helping them believe the same.