Please Be Like Your Dad

Over the last year and a half I watched Coda closely. It seemed like somewhere along the way Justin and I slacked off and Coda had very little compassion for other people. Often Coda would see someone trip and fall and Coda would walk right by without saying a word. It seemed he was focused on getting his way no matter the cost. But in the recent weeks I've noticed a huge difference.

Last night the kids and I went out for ice cream and they saw a familiar face. Eating ice cream with his mother was a little boy about seven years old, his arm and face scarred from a terrible burn. It took me a minute to remember that back in December while shopping at Lowe's the kids found the Christmas stuffed toys that danced. This little boy came right up and wanted to race the animals with us. In my heart I hoped that the kids wouldn't stare and that they'd be kind. I was surprised (although I shouldn't have been) at the kindness of both my kids. You could tell it was a little uncomfortable to try and play but not stare, but they were kind and that's all I asked for. Later we talked about how the little boy was our brother and we need to have compassion towards him and our other brothers and sisters.

I was happy the kids recognized the boy and gave him a smile.

This afternoon Coda made me a proud mama. It was the first day of baseball camp in 87 degree weather. First, I was proud because Coda decided to do camp even though it was possible for him to go and not know anyone. But second, I was proud of Coda because of his actions.

I sent Coda with $5 and told him he needed to make it stretch for at least two days maybe three, (they offer concessions for the boys).
On the way home, this is what he said:

"When I went to the concessions there were these two boys that looked really hot. I felt bad for them so I bought them a Popsicle. I'll still have enough money for two more days because they were two for a dollar."

A huge smile stretched across my face and I couldn't help but think of my husband. "That is exactly what your dad would have done. I'm so proud of you!"

Coda certainly won't learn much about compassion from me, but I truly believe there isn't a kinder, more compassionate man than Justin and if Coda could just take a sliver of that from his father, he'll be okay.