The kindness in our childrens hearts. Kindness and good manners should not be old fashion values

I often look at the gentleness and kind acts displayed by my daughter and ask where did you learn such kindness. Many times she has replied Oliver. Oliver is our dog and has been a patient and faithful friend. He was bought with her in mind and was six months old when she came along. He acknowledged her place on the priority list by immediately rolling on his back and exposing his belly the first time we let him sniff this strange wonderful new package in his house. Needless to say he has followed her and slept with her, he lays in the bathroom floor and keeps her company when she bathes or goes to the rest room. The last several days August has been sick with some type of virus, and I have been amazed at her ability to remain sweet while she weathered the storm. Yesterday I had to work in the morning, Scott was out of town and i did not want her to go to a sitter who has children of her own. So I packed her up and took her with me. With a headache, slight fever and sick stomach away we went. She did not fuss or complain and at her worst moment I laid her in the floor behind the podium where I stand when I lecture with a chair back for a pillow and wraped in a blanket and as i leaned down, feeling awful, and wanting to wisper "I'm sorry honey", she put her hand on my cheek and said Thank you Mommy. She is feeling better today! As a matter of routine she takes Oliver in the walk in shower and cleans him. This morning she did that very act and after a long period of time I opened the bathroom door to see that everything was okay. It was like a sauna with steam everywhere. As I looked in the shower I found Oliver laying in the floor head on the outside rim and August standing beside him aiming the water on his back half. She quickly explained she was running the hot water on his hips to help them feel better just like Daddy let's the hot water run on his back when it hurts. I giggled and then it hit me! How truly kind and wonderful she is turning out to be. We sat down and had a chat, and I listened to my six (soon to be seven) year old explain to me that on the veggie tales the guys are always kind and remember what their parents say. They think it is important to use your manners and say Thank you. She also told me she liked being at my work and sleeping on the floor because it was like pretending to be the dog. She got to use her imagination when she didn't feel too good (that I hate to admit has been learned from sponge Bob and Patrick) and follow me around sleeping under the desk just like Oliver. She got up licked my cheek and said I love you in dog barking speak, and our moment passed. Scott and I elected to turn off cable TV a couple of years ago, due to the way kids talked and behaved on sitcoms. I have never been more reassured that we made a great choice.
Kindness and good manners should not be old fashion values nor can they ever be overrated.