Why I'm so Lucky

Okay, there are about a zillion reasons why I'm lucky. I don't mean lucky as in, I won the lotto lucky. Although I did win 600 dollars on 1 quarter (the only quarter I spent that trip) at a slot machine in Vegas once. I do tend to win at raffles too. However, that's not the kind of luck I'm referring too.

I'm talking about how great my kids are. Some say blessed or fortunate. I say lucky. I don't think I've done anything special in raising them. I just think I'm lucky.

This week and last week they have shown a great deal of kindness, compassion, and empathy towards one another.

I have had people be really snotty about their age difference in the past. Saying that they wouldn't get along or play together. Saying that they'd be like only children. Sometimes strangers say these things! But they prove people wrong all the time.

As I type this they are building a fort and singing songs. They pause to cough. When Ryan coughs, Connor says, "You awright Rya?". When Connor coughs, Ryan says, "You all right buddy?". Ryan responds, "I'm all right, thanks buddy". Connor responds, "I awright".

The two of them have had the flu. Ryan had it much worse then Connor. Mainly because Connor was considered to be in the high risk category and was prescribed Tamiflu. Ryan also got sick first.

I made Ryan a bed on the couch when he was so sick he couldn't move. When he would get up to the bathroom, Connor would fluff his pillows and pull the sheets and blankets up neatly. At night he would tuck him in to bed. Connor would bring Ryan tissues and popsicles.

When Connor got sick Ryan relinquished his spot on the couch for Connor and went back to his real bed. He would go check on him and say, "poor little kid. I didn't want him to get this".

Being home together for so many days has been a bonding opportunity for them. They have made trains and train tracks out of play doh, watched TV together, played video games (Ryan plays and explains what he is doing. Connor watches and says, "ooooh, nice"), played with army men, built things with blocks, and now they are building a fort. I can't wait to take pictures.

They have even developed a secret handshake!

It'll be kind of sad when everyone is well enough to go their separate ways again.

Of course, then they will fight over a toy or someone won't do something the way the other would like. Or someone will throw something. Or someone will get hurt. They'll be yelling and crying. I'll separate them, ground Ryan, place Connor in time out, and wish for a rapid recovery.

I will always have these memories. I'll remember how scary it was to have my kids so sick, especially in the first couple days of this flu, when I never left their sides. I'll also remember what they did for one another. I hope they remember it too.