IDS 495

Examples of Love Spoken

March 2008 One-on-One Time with the Older Grandchildren

My husband  and I were entrusted with getting the older children ready for school. We'd made them breakfast, ensured they'd washed, combed their hair,  brushed their teeth, and their homework was packed. Haven and Joy were dressed and getting ready to get in the car when my son came downstairs and objected to what Joy had decided to wear.  Joy's outfit  had 'raised my eyebrow' yet  she'd assured me it was OK for her to wear ( I thought it was pretty 'artsy' for Christian private school attire yet nothing I hadn't seen here in the Twin Cities). My son was disappointed in his daughter yet, to his credit,  decided that Haven and I would continue on as planned while he dealt with the issue of Joy's unacceptable outfit and would drive her to school himself.  Haven knew his sister was 'in trouble' and wanted to talk about that on the ten-minute ride to the school.  I assured him that everything would work out OK. I was a few minutes from my son's house on the return trip when my cell phone rang.  He'd had a call from work that needed his attention. Could I make a second trip to the school with Joy? I could. When I arrived at the house she was outside waiting. Under her coat, she was wearing the white sun dress I'd bought her for Easter last year.  I told her she looked like a princess and she replied with an embarrassed giggle and a happy "Really? " Having just finished "Five Love Languages of Children" I went even further with my words of affirmation as I drove off to the school. "You look like a strong warrior princess, one like the princess in Star Wars." I said.  We spent the drive talking about our memories of the imaginary princess Amadalla and why I would compare Joy to her.  Joy exited the car happy yet thoughtful.