Tender Loving Care

Last night Brayden was back in our room watching the television version of Big Daddy. He came into the living room and I could tell that he had been crying. His eyelashes were wet and his eyes were red. I asked him what he was crying about and at first he said nothing. I explained how I could tell that he had bee crying and asked again. He got up on the couch and laid down next to me and said in his saddest sounding voice “that big man came and took that little boy from his daddy and he was crying, they were holding hands and then they had to let go and the boy had to go, it was sad”. I got teary just listening to it. I told him to go back in there because I think they may get to be together again. He was happy when it was over, that it had all worked out. This was the first time I have seen that type of emotion from him when watching a movie. I mean I’ve seen scared, and happy, but never compassion, not from a movie anyway. I have of course seen compassion from him in other instances though, like the way he will ask playmates if they are ok and then helps them after they have fallen; and the way he helps the smaller kids when we go to play places (McD’s etc), he will make it his mission to be the one to help them if they get stuck or need a helping hand or encouraging word. It’s so sweet to see him take a little hand and say “come on, I’ll help you”. Just yesterday a friend of mine was over with her almost 2 yr old. We got on the trampoline and he kept putting his hands out, surrounding her and telling her to be careful. It was so sweet. It makes me very proud to see that he has such a tender heart.
I must be honest though and say that he definetly has his not-so-compassionate moments also, for instance when him and his daddy gang up on me and tickle me until I’m in tears – and then he stands there laughing at me hysterically – no compassion there!