The Magnificent Seven

When asked to be a Den Mother for a third time, I'll be the first to admit that I really wasn’t looking forward to it.  but after adjusting my attitude a bit, I decided to give it a go, and I began to plan. 

As I was shopping one day, I noticed some bandanas and I thought of the cub scouts.  Our first theme was “Railroads”, and it would be neat for each scout to have a train engineer bandana. I was unable find enough of the “traditional” old fashioned red bandanas, but there were quite a few American Flag bandanas, so I bought seven of them, and decided that part of our activity at our first meeting would include the American Flag.  I must have been inspired.

The day before that first den meeting was September 11, 2001.  With so much happening and things being cancelled, I found myself wondering if we would even be having a den meeting as scheduled, but we did.  As my house filled with 7 very active cub scouts, I was a little overwhelmed.  To my surprise – It went GREAT!   

Ike showed the boys how to fold his American Flag and how to take care of it.  He explained how it had been presented to him when he became an Eagle Scout.  They actually seemed to be paying attention and took turns folding Ike’s flag.  While demonstrating their flag folding abilities at their first pack meeting, I couldn’t help but to see them in a little different light – they weren’t just the seven little boys that spend Wednesday afternoons in my family room.  It hadn't occurred to me before, but they were Ike, ten years earlier.   Needless to say, it was very reassuring.

In the days and weeks following September 11, everyone was asking, “What can we do to help?”  The way that we all came together as a country was truly amazing.  I thought of my seven little cub scout, and realized that I could help by simply trying to be the best leader that I could to these seven cub scouts.  I realized what a responsibility we have, in helping children to become the best that they can be, preparing them for their lives ahead. 

So, perhaps as the saying goes, "the third time is a charm".   I enjoyed the next two years with the cub scouts, who I affectionately dubbed "The Magnificent Seven".

September 12, 2001