Progress

For the last three years, my in-laws have taken Anna and her oldest cousin up to Maine for a special "Grandparents' Weekend." Anna always has a blast, and our hope is that next year Ethan can go, too, but one thing at a time.

It's been interesting to observe Ethan's reaction to Anna's absence each of the past three summers.

The first year, when he was 20 months old, Anna came and went without his noticing. No waves goodbye, no hugs. When she returned, he looked at her and shrugged and then toddled off.

The next year, after she'd been gone overnight, I could tell Ethan was looking for her. Ethan was 2 1/2. "Anna?" he asked at the breakfast table. When she returned he gave her the biggest smile and a big squeeze.

This year, Ethan is 3 1/2. "Anna's going away on a trip for two days," I told him. "And Ethan will be sad about that," he answered, pouting. When they drove away, he began sobbing. "I need to go on a trip! They need to come back for awhile."

It's sad when more awareness brings a child a bit more pain. Yet still so sweet at the same time.

Yes, sweet progress. Thank you, God.

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On a side note, I'm going to be taking a bit of a blog break for awhile. I'll still be blogging, just not as often. I'm realizing my priorities need to be in real life, not online, on my blog, or on Facebook, but I could never completely stop blogging. The stories just fight to get out. But for now, I need to learn to slow down, rest and spend a bit more time away from the screen.