What a sweet sound!
Sidebar: For those who don’t know, my daughter is mildly autistic. That’s what makes me hopeful and happy about this story.
My cousin and his family called earlier to tell us they’d be setting off a vinegar and baking soda bottle rocket and releasing a couple of mice in the field across from our house, and they asked if we wanted to come.
My daughter had a long day and didn’t want to bestir herself from her couch, but I told her I was going, and then she wanted to come because I was.
So we went over and saw them shoot the rocket and release the mice, which was great fun. Emily came up with some good comments on both events. When we were ready to go, we all went to our respective vehicles, and I said, “Let’s go over and say goodbye.” So we did, and my child said:
“Goodbye! Thank you for seeing the rocket go up and the mice go!”
Holy moly! A spontaneous thank you! And an understanding that in this situation, it was appropriate to thank someone who has invited you to do something with them! And a sentence telling them WHY you’re saying thank you! What a wonderful display of social awareness and concern.
I’m ecstatic. This is just wonderful!