Tonight’s dinner was an exercise is coping skills for D1. My dad came into town for Christmas, arriving just before dinner tonight. As we all sat down for dinner, D1 was shocked to find someone sitting in his chair, which is next to me. We had set his place on the other side of my Dad.

As he sat down, his eyes welled up with tears, just a bit, and his face turned red. He didn’t know how to handle it or what to do. We assured him that it was okay for Grampa to sit in his chair, and that he could eat at the place next to him. He was at a loss for words (very normal for him in uncertain circumstances). He couldn’t eat or speak. Grampa proceeded to explain to D1 that just like E is his daddy, he is Mommy’s Dad.

When D1 realized what he was saying, the look on his face was priceless! It really was very funny to watch him– his eyes got big, his eyebrows went up, and he just had the funniest look on his face. The tears were still in his eyes, but he calmed down some. In a few minutes, when we finally talked him into taking a bite of his dinner, he settled in and was fine.

After dinner I called him aside and gave him a big hug, and told him how proud I am of him that he handled the change so well.