Something Special about Aubree

I wanted to write about Aubree, my caring little 7 year old.  Aubree is a good friend.  She's kind, fun to be around, has a lot of common sense, sporty and adventurous.  But there is something special about her. I sometimes wonder if this special trait will continue throughout her life into her career choice. 

I have a friend named Lisa who has a little girl named Emma who has Down Syndrome.  Aubree and Emma are the same age.  They aren't around each other very often, but every time they do get to play together Aubree seems to take special attention and care for Emma.  She makes sure she's happy, safe and having fun.  I noticed this several years ago. 

Last year in 1st grade Aubree became good friends with a girl named Sydney.  Sydney has Aspergers Syndrome which is a part of the Autism spectrum.  Sydney struggles a bit socially and doesn't play with other kids.  She functions pretty normally but just seems a little harsh and loud if you didn't know she had aspergers. Well for some reason Aubree and her became friends. They started doing play dates and Sydney's Mom would invite Aubree over multiple times a week.  During this past summer, Sydney's house became Aubree's second home.  Sydney's Mom just loved Aubree because she said she "puts up" with Sydney.  Sydney is loud, quirky and emotional and Aubree just takes her under her wing and mother's her.  She laughs when Sydney is rude to her and sticks up for her when she does something wrong.  She loves to be around her.  She will tell me stories about something Sydney did and then she will say "but it's ok because you know Sydney is........"  and she will kind of wait for me to fill in the blank.  It's like she's just drawn to her.  So I've always thought Aubree was really caring and recognized when someone had a special need and was drawn to help them. 

The real confirmation of this was on Halloween of this year.  I went to the school.  I was traveling around to all 3 of my girls classes to visit for their parties.  Well on my way to Aubree's class, I passed her class in the hall.  They were just coming out of the gym from P.E.   Her whole class passed by me and there was no Aubree.  I asked the last person in line where Aubree was and they said she was still in the gym.  So I walked in there to see Aubree helping a boy in her class put his shoes on.  She was gently coaxing him and saying stuff like "ok Ammon now let's go back to class"  "walk quietly Ammon" She looked up and saw me and I asked her what she was doing.  She said "oh he needs help with his shoes because he's..........long pause........special needs".  Then Ammon piped in and said "ya I'm special needs".  Then Ammon got up to run out and Aubree followed him very gently saying "Ammon, don't run". "Ammon we have to walk when we are in the halls"  in the sweetest motherly voice.  This little Ammon didn't look special needs at all, maybe just a bit hyper, maybe ADD, maybe aspergers or mild autism I don't  know, Aubree didn't know.  All she knows is that he's a little different and needs special attention I guess. 

It melted my heart.  It was a proud Mom moment.  To see my little girl tying a boys shoes and looking after him.  It was the sweetest thing.  Aubree has a keen sense for "special" people and is drawn to them, to help them, to be their friend.  It's cute.  I'm proud of my little Bobsy Boo.  I think this will be an awesome trait to have throughout her life.