Long live the king

As I waited for Diver to return from his first day as a Leader-in-Training (L.I.T.) at YMCA Day Camp, I calmly prepared for the worst scenario: Snarling teen gets off bus, stomps to car, muttering, "I'm never going back"   

That had been Diver's standard response to new experiences.  

I resolved to be different; to prepare, remain calm and unflustered.

The bus pulled up.  Diver climbed off, handed me his heavy backpack, and announced, "Dairy Queen or Burger King." 

"Hungry?"  I asked.   

"No. I got hit in the face. " 

As the evening went on, details of the day filtered out.  Noticeably absent was the "I'm never going back" declaration.  Right before bed, Diver announced, "I have emotions."

I sat with him and we talked through his day, processing the experience and identifying the feelings.  The "hit on the face" was someone trip during a game of tag.  And it was fine.  He was fine.  And insists I come to Family Night Thursday.  

Inauguration Day

Diver is sick.  He woke this morning with fever, sore throat, stomachache.  

Yesterday he was hypersensitive.  Generally I can help him figure out why.  Was something bothering him? Anything on his mind?  Somebody say something nasty?  Worried about school? We do this with our AS kids: help them put a name to their emotions

But no.  He was getting sick.  So I canceled my morning meeting and now we get to witness Obama's inauguration.  That's a good thing.