When my daughter was younger, she was a very helpful child as most young children are. Wanting so badly to be like mommy or daddy, they want to do everything we do. She use to amaze me carrying milk jugs and 12-packs of Pepsi not long after she began to walk. Then she became a Daddy's girl. After that she was only helpful in areas where Dad was concerned or areas where Dad told her to be. It has been a constant battle between the girl and me. She could contentedly sit on her behind under the apple tree sipping a lemonade while I literally killed myself working in the yard and not think a thing about it. Even promises of her imminent demise would not budge her.We've fought, yelled and cried over it. I've been the meanest mom and she the laziest child. Threats of bringing Dad into the picture worked for awhile but that phase soon passed. She is a granite-head just like her father and she will not do anything unless she wants to. Which is why I nearly fell over at the store the other day.
Do you believe in alien abduction? Pod people? Non-evil demon possesion? Well, me either but something along those lines must have happened to my daughter because she changed. My non-helpful child miraculously became helpful. There were no threats - death or otherwise. No bargains of something wonderful after she was done. I didn't even ask her to. All a sudden she started unloading the groceries from the cart. Say what now?? I tried very hard to remain calm and act like this was a natural occurence, even though the room did start to sway a bit. I did my best to smile and encourage her without actually acknowedging that the miracle was occuring. But it didn't stop there. She loaded the groceries in the truck & put the cart away. When we went to Wal-Mart, she scanned & bagged all the items at the check-out. I was almost giddy! When we got home - after she carried in the groceries - I secretly told her dad what had happened. She was such a pleasant person the rest of the night. We ate pizza and watched movies on demand and in all had a good time. About 10:30 I went to straighten up the kitchen and wash the dishes. The girl was supposed to be asleep. From the kitchen I heard whispering and then my husband hollered and wanted to know if I needed any help. Say what now - again?? While my mouth says,"what?", my mind races and wonders what they know that I don't. Am I dying? On hidden camera? Did we win the lottery and they'd rather split it two ways than three so they are trying to do me in by shocking me to death? It's too early for both my birthday and Mother's day. Then he says it again and the room starts to sway for the second time today. "Josie wants to know if there is anything she can to do help you." With a firm grasp on the counter, I manage to squeak out, "Sure."
So here she comes and I'm almost certain this is a ruse for staying up even later. She wants to dry the dishes. I say that will be great but could she sweep the floor first and then brace myself. I just know she's going to blow a gasket because I asked her to do something other than what she wanted to do. But she goes and gets the broom and begins to sweep. She even picked up the rug and swept under it. And was happy while she did it. Chatting and laughing the entire time. In fact, the only time she got upset is when she noticed that I was drying the dishes while she swept. She even suggested we do this every night, just so we can chat and catch up on our day. Wow. I resist pinching myself for fear that I will indeed wake up, for this must surely be a dream. Or demon possesion...I'm not sure yet.
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