My sister, 8, has pretty little confidence and, often, we had to do some convincing to make something that requires self-esteem.

I saw these two kids going back-and-forth in front of our house and they’re eating this fruit that they got (they said) near the community chapel—which is ~30meter away from us. I asked them, “Where’d you get that?” And they quickly said, “Near that chapel” pointing finger. “We can get some for you if you want!” joy present in their voices. I said yes, and they asked if they can tagalong my sister.

Definitely, I agree, but when I looked back to my sister (she was behind me the entire conversation), she was looking at her feet and suddenly looked like she feels the need to go back inside our house—and she did run away, swiftly. The two kids said they can get them themselves and left.

I then go inside and asked my sister what’s up. She’s like, “I, uh”—“I can’t” with overflowing withdrawn emotion. I said she should go and follow, convincing her. This happened for minutes and to finally convince her I said, “I’ll come with you but I will leave you with them and you have to come home yourself.” She nodded.

Me, baffled and in awe, guided her out to that said chapel. She saw the kids gathering that fruit and she slowly approached them.

After that, they gave me the fruit and I said my regards. Then I asked my sister if she wanted to play with then, she hesitantly said yes. She happily walks towards the other kids and I picked myself up and went home.

She’s back for, like, an hour after. She was smiling the whole time and I’ve never seen her that happy for months because she’s been only playing with her toys—alone.

Today, she asked if she could play outside again with a little hesitation. I, of course, said yes.

It just warms my heart that she’s finally building up that little confidence, I hope it grows along time.