WHAT IS TRUTH? :: When I was about 12 years old, a few of my friends and I were playing with matches on the hill in Greenwood Park, near where I lived.
At that time, the hill was being formed by fill from town work. The big piles of dirt had left a great maze, and were covered in tall grass. We were lighting the tall grass on fire, with matches, and watching the tall strands burn and crackle down.
One of my friends lost control of the strand and the entire hill was set alight, burning rapidly, and the strong wind gusts were blowing the fire toward the subdivision below.
I ran towards my house to told them the hill was on fire.
I tried to calm myself as I made my way to our home, listening to the police and fire sirens, thinking I was going to jail.
As I approached, my father and mother were out in the driveway watching; the smoke was so thick and over the entire subdivision. I thought I was acting nonchalant, so calm, cool and collected, but knew better when they yelled, “Oh my God, are you okay, what happened?”
My eyebrows, bangs, and running shoe laces were all singed.
I was so scared.
I said I didn’t know what happened. The police were already looking for the arsonist! they told me. I finally said that I saw some kids running away.
But my dad knew…
I admitted I was there, and although I didn’t actually start the fire, that I was responsible for it.
My parents took me to the local fire chief, and I admitted my involvement in the fire.
I never told on my friends.
The fire chief knew I was terrified, knew I was a good kid, knew I felt terrible.
And that was it.
I was never shamed publicly, never sent to detention, not held responsible for the time and trouble spent by the fire department.
They knew I was afraid, and just a kid, who made a mistake.
Please don’t judge others too harshly. We rarely know anyone’s full story.
And remember, we all have made mistakes – some worse than others – and I would ask everyone to show compassion and empathy more often.
I have been told I am a “bleeding heart”. If having compassion and empathy, if not judging until all details are known, if leading with forgiveness, makes me a bleeding heart, I will claim that title with great pride.
Because I know how it feels.
(And I am incredibly grateful that the fire chief and police chief were bleeding hearts too.)
- Lynn Scott Smith originally shared this story on social media. We think her message is an idea worth spreading.
