THE SQUIRT GUN BANDIT
I didn’t know she had emotional scars from that incident… at least not until she was a senior in high school. I was trying to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak. As the coach, I was trying to prepare the girls mentally for an upcoming state championship lacrosse game. My goal was to help the girls bond and use past experiences to their advantage; scars from a short past to use as motivation in the game, but more importantly, the game of life…
I was a little surprised how open and honest the majority of the girls were about their emotional scars. When I got to our oldest, who was one of the captains and is tougher than nails, I didn’t expect her to share much. I figured she’d come up with some generic scar. “What about you?” I asked with a grin.
She didn’t hesitate, she blurted, “You broke my squirt gun!” I chuckled thinking she was half-joking. She quickly turned away as the smile melted off my face. I continued to the next girl to share her story as my mind raced back to “The Squirt Gun Incident.”
She was around seven years old and was using her squirt gun on me… I guess I was the easiest target. “Hey! – Knock it off!” I demanded. She’d wait a few minutes and come back and start again. “I mean it!” I growled to make her stop. Sure enough, a few minutes later the little menace with the squirt gun – I was regretting having bought her – was back in action and unloading her H2O ammo on me again.
“Hey! – I mean it! – Stop squirting me!” She grinned a devious grin… Not sure where she got that, but I recognized it and continued, “If you squirt me with that thing one more time – I’m gonna take it from you and break it into pieces! – Understand?” The oldest turned away fairly unscathed but got the point.
About ten minutes later the squirt gun desperado appeared for yet another showdown! “Don’t do it! – I told you! – I’ll break it!” She looked ever cocky and sure of herself as she began to soak me again with surprising accuracy. I lunged for her… She screamed with terror and delight as she began to flee like a bandit.
She didn’t get one or two steps before a younger version of myself overtook her and snatched the squirt gun out of her double clutched hands. I was surprised how much effort it took to crumble the plastic squirt gun as I walked to the trash can. As soaked as I was it looked like Kenz was gonna catch up with her tears…
I felt bad… While it broke my heart, I thought I needed to follow through with my promise. I also learned not to draw such deep lines in the dirt with our girls… Maybe I’d conveniently forgot about the squirt gun incident. She didn’t and never will. She knows I love her and I’m not perfect, but she knows I always tried to do my best, just like she will. We don’t hide from our mistakes and missteps – we learn from them…
Yeah, my theory worked… we won another state championship … The grown up Squirt Gun Bandit scored the most goals, had the most assists, and was named MVP of the league her senior year…
I feel sorry for anyone who tries to take the new 10mm pistol I just got her…
bill (cycleguy)
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 3:10 am
isn’t it interesting how events we forget about your kids never do? We leave scars that seem to never go away. So glad that she knows you love her. and I promise I WILL TRY TO TAKE HER PISTOL AWAY.
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 4:40 pm
Yeah, I was pretty harsh. One of those things I wish I could take back, but have to use as a tool to learn and move on. I knew based on our conversation of the sword that Jesus’ disciples carried that this might be an issue with you, Bill! The cool part is that it changes zero between us… That’s refreshing… At least in me! Thanks, Bill.
Bill (cycleguy)
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 5:55 pm
I meant to say I WILL NOT TRY TO TAKE HER PISTOL AWAY. One word changes things
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 7:11 pm
I thought you were just gunnin’ for a fight! I’m with you, Bill. I wouldn’t want to try to take it from her either! I’ve seen her shoot that cannon!
Loren Pinilis
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 4:00 am
It’s funny how the little things make the biggest impacts on our kids. I can see this already with our four year old. The things he remembers from family trips, etc. will just blow you away – the tiniest things are what stick out to them. And that makes you really conscious about the way you treat them every second of the day. You never know when you can be creating a massive impression – either good or bad.
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 4:42 pm
So true, Loren. The older I get the more the past mistakes stick out so glaringly in my mind. I think it’s important for them to see us trying to be better people before God. My short fuse has led to many lessons unfortunately. Thanks, Loren. Count to three before you respond to anything!
tcavey
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 10:42 am
some of the scares we carry can seem so silly…to us and to others. But God never thinks they are silly. I’m so thankful He’s always there, ready to comfort all sorts of scares.
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 4:46 pm
This fallen world is tough enough without us making it tougher. We were raised a bit more strict and harsh in hopes of preparing us for the harsh world. It’s taken decades to try to soften my soul… I’m getting there, some of us aren’t quite as quick to catch on to these things as others. You’re right, I remember the goofy things that broke my heart as a kid… But those heartbreaks pale in comparison to the ones I’ve caused in my girls…
tcavey
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 4:56 pm
I don’t even want to think about my son getting older and the mistakes I’ll make. Thank God, He has our backs…and our hearts.
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 5:01 pm
Seriously, TC! If not for our Father my ignorance would have torn my family completely apart… I’ve come to realize that pretty much in all aspects of my life… I’m a slow starter…
Jason Stasyszen
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 11:11 am
What I’m figuring out is that it seems silly to our adult minds so we can put it off in the background and try to dismiss it, but when we are children, those things make huge impacts on us and we carry those things until we can fully forgive and allow healing to come. Recognizing that is so hard sometimes! I know I’ve done similar things as a father and like you said, I have learned not to draw such deep lines. People get hurt. Still, so thankful we know the Healer. What a hope! Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 4:49 pm
Thanks, Jason. Well said. Without Him doing the healing and redeeming, I’d be up the creak without a paddle… actually worse… It’s hard to see when we’re in the middle of it. How many times did I miss out on some of the best experiences in life because I was on the edge and preoccupied… All we can do is learn from our mistakes. That’s a good lesson to teach too… that’s what I’m counting on!
Lisa notes
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 11:17 am
Wow, many lessons here. Including don’t think kids automatically forget things! Yikes.
This is also a huge and great lesson:
“I also learned not to draw such deep lines in the dirt with our girls…” Drawing those lines can get us into trouble and back us into corners of our own making, yes?
Good stuff, Floyd! Thanks for always being willing to share your stories to teach us things we need to hear.
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 4:51 pm
That’s very gracious, Lisa. They are most definitely of our own making. Nobody needs more of a reminder than me, Lisa. It helps to remember and write it down so that hopefully I’ll be less prone for the stupid things the next time around. Thanks for your kind and forgiving words.
Mia
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 2:34 pm
Oh, we have to be so incredibly careful when it comes to our children. I think we should oftentimes just try to remember what it was to be a child and try to relive our own emotions from childhood!
Blessings
Mia
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 4:53 pm
I have to confess, if I had been more mindful of this very thing, I’d have responded in a different way. That’s great advice, Mia. And I know for sure I still need to be reminded! Thanks for that and for stopping by.
Voni Harris
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 5:13 pm
My daughter has the Tiffy House story. I barely remember her giving me the gift, but it came across as rejection to her. I was engrossed in making macaroni and cheese for lunch, she says. I also remember another time when she cried because I had no idea what she was asking for for dinner, and it was something I made for her special as a treat several times. Those “pancakes with green sticks in them” [corncakes with rosemary] obviously meant a lot to her, and should’ve meant more to me as a result. Fortunately, there’s enough love between us, that these are funny family stories now. Stories that did their part in helping us get through some really tough times! Blessings,
Voni
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 7:11 pm
My shortcomings were a bit more blatant I think. Moms are better at it in most cases I also think. But you’re right. It’s God’s redemption and love that get us through. I know for sure after all the years coaching them… they don’t want to hear it from yours truly anymore! Can’t say as I blame em’… Those pancakes with green sticks sounds pretty good! How I love rosemary…. Thanks, Voni!
Mike Snep
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 6:50 pm
Wow!
Floyd
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 7:12 pm
C’mon, Mike… I know you’ve had a few mistakes in your life too!
Mike Snep
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 7:59 pm
Yes I have, and I’ve been replaying them in my mind to see how many squirt guns I smashed. I think this life lesson is very important and I will share it with my children. Mike
Floyd
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 5:54 pm
We definitely seemed to have a short fuse when we were younger. Brings about wisdom, just wish I could have caught on a little sooner! Thanks, Mike.
Hazel Moon
Monday, March 25, 2013 @ 7:37 pm
I was one harsh mama, so I can understand – – but she was also old enough to know that you stood behind your word. She just had to take that last risk. How often we are like that in life – – thinking one more time will not hurt. Wonderful post here Floyd and thank you for sharing it at “Tell Me a Story.” Oh yes, I am glad the girls won the game.
Floyd
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 5:52 pm
I can tend to be a bit short fused, especially back then, I think she thought I was playing, but I know for sure I pulled the trigger to quickly… No pun intended, although maybe I should have! None of the girls were remotely close to how bad I was as a kid. Thanks, Hazel, and thanks for letting me share this at your “Tell Me a Story” website!
Jared Latigo
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 5:26 am
They never forget do they! I have a 3 year old that remembers things from days or weeks ago. I feel that’s a pretty good length of time for someone his age. I can only imagine what he’ll remember as he gets older so I try to make sure that what I do won’t be overly harsh. Sometimes, it very hard to do though.
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s funny that you probably learned more from the situation than she did. All she knows is that it got broke. 😀
Floyd
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 5:58 pm
No doubt I learned more than she did. I was way too harsh in those days. Good for you for trying to be intentional with your little one. Thanks for sharing and stopping by, Jared.
Dan Erickson
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 5:39 am
Great post, Floyd. I guess we need to be careful of what we do to others as it may come back to haunt us. But there are ways to fix some of these actions.
Floyd
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 5:59 pm
I went out of my way to make it up to her, but some mistakes were built to last. She forgives me and knows I love her. I mean if a new 10 mm pistol doesn’t say love, I don’t know what does!!! Thanks, Dan.
Chuck Allen
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 6:00 am
Thanks for sharing this story, Floyd. It leaves me wondering how many scars I’ve left with my kids. I’m thankful that love can overcome these, though, as you have experienced.
Floyd
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 6:01 pm
For sure, Chuck. Some of the scars I probably don’t even know just yet. That’s the one given in this fallen world. Mistakes.. Thank God for His redemption and the heart to pass it on to our loved ones and the ones that we don’t even know. Thanks for sharing and making me feel a little better, Chuck!
Ngina Otiende
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 2:59 pm
So I was really laughing and smiling all through the story. Until I got to the last line.
Was that a replacement for the squirt gun? 🙂
Great story and life lessons here, as always. I like that part of learning from our mistakes and missteps, not hiding from them. Great post.
Floyd
Tuesday, March 26, 2013 @ 6:07 pm
Our oldest lives alone and is on her own. I just thought it ironic that when she was little she loved squirt guns and wanted to be able to have a real one now… Funny how fast things change… It seems like just a few years ago that she was playing with dolls and squirt guns. Now she shoots better than me… I’m thankful for forgiveness and redemption and kind hearted and understanding friends like you, Ngina! Thanks.
Dan Black
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 @ 11:09 pm
Everything we do has an impact on others life’s. Those small actions can creating lasting memories to those around us, either good or not so good.
Floyd
Thursday, March 28, 2013 @ 9:50 am
I hear you, Dan. Unfortunately that one wasn’t so good for me or our oldest, but God is all about redemption and uses our weaknesses for His good will. That process is really an everyday miracle that I and most of us take for granted. Thanks, Dan.