Facing Fears

Hawkins has always been afraid of the vacuum.  Not deathly afraid, just always cautious when it's turned on.  He doesn't scream or cry.  However, he will not sit on the floor while you vacuum around him.  In fact, as soon as he sees you get the vacuum out, he heads for higher ground, preferably behind the safety of one of his big brothers.

Today, Hawkins was playing right beside the cord to the vacuum and the outlet, which also happened to be just a few feet from the big red monster that eats dirt and cat hair.

I asked him if he would please plug in the vacuum.  I had momentarily forgotten that he is scared of it.  He nervously giggled at first, as he reached for the plug and stared at his greatest fear.  He was torn between his fear of the vacuum and his desire to be a helper.  He inched closer and closer, staring straight on at the vacuum the entire time.  It's as if he thought it would miraculously turn on and suck his left foot off before having a chance to escape.

He found refuge behind the column as he sneaked his arm towards the outlet with the plug clasped in his hand, still not taking his eyes off the vacuum.

He got it plugged in.  And surprisingly, he still has both feet attached.  He even grinned with pride once the task was completed.