When my kids are together for an extended period of time, they tend to do VERY GOOD together. They must realize they are the only playmates for each other and kick into a special bonding mode. However, when it is only short time spans, like in the mornings (EVERY DAY) or afterschool, they really don't do well with each other. If I had a nickel for every time either one of them says, "PLEASE STOP" (which ultimately escalates into an arguement) I would have their college educations secured.
So, with that being said, I have to acknowledge a few moments this week that they both demonstrated qualities I was proud of - individually, mind you, but still, I have to acknowledge them.
MOMENT #1 - I was driving Brayden and his buddy, Jack to soccer and Jack indicated he wasn't feeling very good. The poor guys had tears in his eyes and after calling his mom we decided to turn around and head back home. On the way home I asked Jack if he his belly felt crampy or if he felt like throwing up. Throwing up was the answer - so I quickly grabbed the Target bag uprfront, asked Brayden to empty it, and had him hand it to Jack. Sure enough, 30 seconds later, the poor kid was filling the bag. Why this earns Brayden brownie points: he was so compassionate to his buddy. The smell and disgust was pretty overwhelming and he didn't complain or comment at all. Instead he encouraged Jack by recounting all of the times he's thrown up- at the toilet or on the carpet, eventually earning a smile from Jack. Good kid, way to be a good friend. I tried to really praise him, it's not that he went out of his way to be remarkable, it's just that he didn't act like he could have, and for that, I was proud.
MOMENT #2 - Mikayla attends an indoor soccer class and absolutely LOVES her coach, Ramey. However, Ramey has been absent for 3 weeks in a row and because I was concerned she might have been fired, I asked somebody there what was up. They said she was down in California dealing with a "family tragedy" and would be back the following week. I suggested that my daughter will have to give her a big hug and the gal said simply, "that would be good, she'll REALLY need it". HOW SAD! I still don't know what happened, but I have to imagine she might have lost a family member. It made my heart ache for her. So, Mikayla, on her own accord, stenciled and colored a beautiful picture for her and upon seeing her yesterday, gave it to her, and gave her the biggest, tightest, longest hug. No questions, no conversation, just a huge hug from a five year old. I gotta think that's pretty good therapy. It was a compassion that only she could deliver, and I was proud.
1 comment:
You have every right to be proud of your kids, and to take some credit for yourself too. Those are the little moments in our lives when God must look down and smile and say, "Well done."
Post a Comment