Gabrielle's Wish

Last month, we celebrated the fourth birthday of my younger daughter, Gabrielle. As with my older daughter, whose birthday we celebrated just the month prior, the morning after the party I asked Gabrielle what she had wished for as she blew out the candles. Her response was just as touching as was her sister's described in the prior post.

Mommy: Gab, what did you wish for when you blew out your candles?

Gabrielle: (without thought or hesitation) I wished that Madelyn would never have allergies again.

You see, weeks prior to the birthday party, Madelyn had been experiencing horrific allergies, which had kept her confined to the house, crying relentlessly about how miserable she was, and it even caused her to miss a day of school. Her eyes were an oozing, itchy mess, made even worse by her refusal to leave them alone. Try to tell a 6-year-old not to rub her eyes when they feel like sandpaper (heck, I have a heck of a time following that advice myself).

Anyway, clearly Madelyn's extreme discomfort had really made an impact on her little sister, worried her even. But I have to say, this caring statement from Gabrielle was not in the least bit surprising to me. I know I'm biased and all, but I swear to you, this kid is the most sympathetic and empathetic human being I have ever met. When she was just two, she had cried during a Lifetime movie because a baby got hurt. When her sister is sent to time-out (even if it's for something she did to Gabrielle, like pinching her), it affects Gabrielle more than Madelyn. Gab cries for her, tries to sit in time-out with her, pats her on her back, and comforts her. She even tries to talk me into taking Madelyn out and putting her in instead. On the other hand, if Gabrielle is in trouble/ in time-out, Madelyn takes the opportunity to rub her nose in it, tongue stuck out at her, nah-nah-nah-nah-nah-nah.

Regardless, I feel I got the greatest wishes granted to me this year (exemplified through the types of wishes made by my girls at their birthday parties): my babies are growing to be incredibly happy, beautiful, and caring little girls (despite the tongue-sticking-out thing).