From the mouthes of babes...

Over the weekend a career military man, Chris and his wife and daughter came to adopt a puppy. Chris was specifically interested in a male puppy, in an attempt to lessen the gender gap, he's a man in a family of women, his wife, 5 daughters, a granddaughter, and a female dog named Kelsey.
My boyfriend David has had his eye on one of the 2 boys, Monte, but we discussed it and decided we would be more than comfortable, even proud if our pup could enrich the life of military family :)
We must have talked about it in front of Kael, unaware, as is so often, of just how much "little ears" hear and understand.
Because of my name choice, Hayden, (yep, after Hayden Fry, I'm a Hawkeye through and through) the man thought the pup he'd been looking at was a boy. I had to put a wrench in the works and let him know that Hayden  was a SHE.
They spent some time playing with the boys but Chris' eyes kept wandering back to Hayden. The back and forth between father and daughter and husband and wife was so sweet and sincere, each wanting to please the other I was only more convinced we'd be completely happy with whomever they chose. In the end, Hayden was the lucky one, the chosen one of the day, most  unfortunately for Kael, as she was the pup he himself had chosen to keep, his very most favorite, puppy of all.
I could see the hurt in Kael's eyes as he quickly left the room retreating to our front living room, away from the rest of us.
I excused myself "to go get the paperwork" as David continued talking with the family. I hugged Kael and asked him if he was alright. I told him I understood that it hurt and asked if he'd be OK letting Hayden go.
He pulled away, looked me straight in the eyes and said "Mommy it's OK, he's a soldier." Nothing more was said, just a little man looking at his mother and reassuring her.
I had to turn away as tears streamed down my cheeks. I was so proud and at the same time so sorry that my endeavor was causing his little heart so much pain. I dried my eyes and went back into the room where they were all waiting, Kael followed.
There must have been some remnant of sorrow on our faces, the wife asked if everything was OK. I told her it was, and asked Kael to tell them what he had said. He couldn't but he did ask me to tell them, when I did, there wasn't a dry eye in the place, at least us girls and the rest were visibly moved including the 6'5" 250 lbs Navy man, Chris.

If just one soldier can know they are appreciated and that their sacrifice is admired, our small sacrifice of tears and time, is more than worth it.

I am proud of my son, and his acknowledgment of others sacrifice.

God Bless America.