Empathy

Little Missy's In-Home Care Giver is a gem. She seems to enjoy trying to work with Missy, though she calls the child difficult and some days I'm sure I can see the steam building. Some days I actually have to intervene on the poor woman's behalf. She's not naive to the manipulations and all that and doesn't put up with it, but is patient and she keeps coming back. :-) I am thankful. I need her.

Missy gave her a run for her money on Wednesday. It was one of the days that I stood by and had to intervene a few times. It was the day Steve and the girls left for Canada - and MIssy was not happy about it. Yesterday was a good day, though she had difficult moments, over all she was cooperative.

Her hard moment was when I drove up. I had arranged for a friend to pick up the kids after the care-giver left if I wasn't home in time. She was SO disappointed that I was home. She had been looking forward to going and started crying. James might have been a tad disappointed, but he popped out of the house with a big smile and a big "Hi, MOM! I'm so glad to see you. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!" I don't know if all  that was to help neutralize his sister's response or what, but he was genuinely glad to see me.

When it was time for the care-giver to leave and she stood up to go, her muscles went into horrific spasms. She was in great pain and was crying. This is not new. Some days she hasn't been able to leave home... It was the first time Missy witnessed it though and it obviously made her feel for her care-giver. She did everything she could to help and even offered to carry her water bottle and books to the car. Brianna and I were both really impressed with her ability to understand someone else's pain. She was VERY, VERY sweet and it was heartwarming to see.

This is awesome. Growth in the right direction! I was so proud of that kiddo.