Two month Check-in: Lessons of the heart

Hard to believe it's only been two months that we've been home together as family! In that short time so much has changed. Harry is learning to speak at warp speed and embraces all things American. Well ALMOST all things. While he now drinks three full glasses of milk a day, we're pretty sure it doesn't make his list of top 100 things he loves most... Yeah, I've got a list a mile long of how much progress he's made, how many hurdles he's overcome, and how many things he is learning to do.

In truth, the most important things he has learned will never be measured on an SAT test, or for that matter, may not be apparent to many. Of all that he has learned, what touches my heart the most is what his own little heart is learning. When he comes to me crying after skinning his knee, and welcomes the comfort , he is learning compassion. Waiting for his turn in Candyland is teaching him patience. Each time he wakes up to a bed that is a bit wet, he learns tolerance and acceptance. When he asks for "just one more" hug before bed at night, he's learning to the joy of touch. When his brother apologizes to him for sticking his tongue out at him, and he responds with " sokay" (one word), he's reminded that as a Christian, we must always forgive. When he reminds someone that we must pray before we eat, he's learning we must in all things be thankful (and shortly thereafter when he says excuse me when he belches, he's learning manners.) When he climbs into bed on a lazy Saturday morning and jockeys for a spot between Mommy, Poppa, Skip and Sabaka, he is learning that he will forever be a part of this family, and therefore there's always room for him.

Perhaps the most important thing he has learned is that when he goes outside in 85 degree weather with a tank top, shorts, no shoes, TWO pair of sunglasses and a pair of winter gloves, we may laugh for a minute, but love his just the same. Unconditional love. I can't think of anything more important.