There's no one like her

This is the conversation I hear yesterday morning:

Eva walks out of the bathroom and in to Eli's room: "Hey buddy? Would it be okay if I rode my bus this morning?"

Eli must have not said anything.

Eva: "Buddy, if I ride my bus today then I will ride with you again tomorrow. Is that okay?"

This time Eli must have said okay. 

"Thanks buddy. I will ride with you tomorrow okay?" <kisses his head>

She then walks back into the bathroom to finish getting ready for school. Never once did she ask me about it. And I could not be prouder of her. 

At the beginning of the year, Eli had anxiety about getting on the bus without Eva. Every morning she has faithfully put her own interests to the side and ridden the bus with Eli, even though all of her friends are on a different bus. I read once that if you ever want to know how to treat a kid with special needs you should watch their siblings. That could not be more true! Eva understands Eli. But she also doesn't make excuses for him and she will gently push him past his comfort zone. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. When it's the latter she just tells him, "That's okay buddy. We can try again another time."

I'm still not sure how we got lucky enough to have this girl in our family, but man am I thankful! 

(This picture is from Disney World. She's taking care of a sleepy Isaac. I think it captures her heart and the essence of this story.)