I never paid much attention to my six-year-old daughter Tia’s fear of her closet. When she said she heard something inside, I chalked it up to an overactive imagination. As a single mom with a lot on my plate, I didn’t have the energy for imaginary monsters. But as the nights passed, her fear grew—and so did the strange sounds.

One night, I finally decided to check for myself. Pressing my ear to the wall, I heard a low buzzing sound, steady and real. An exterminator later confirmed the truth: a massive beehive was hidden inside. The hive was so large it could have broken through—Tia had sensed danger before I ever noticed.

That night, she slept in my room while I lay awake, ashamed I hadn’t listened sooner. How often do we brush off our children’s fears, assuming they don’t know better? Tia wasn’t imagining things—she was warning me. I told her I’d always take her seriously from now on.

Now, as we wait for the bees to be safely removed, I’m thankful for her courage. Her voice reminded me that protecting our children starts with believing them. Even when the truth hides in the walls—or in unexpected places—trust matters. And Tia taught me that.