gifts

My sister sent me an email about Rawan:

(from my sister)
Can you believe this wonderful email from Rawan's teacher... I even learn a few things about emotional intelligence from Rawan when she tells me things like, "It was an accident. It's ok if sometimes people make mistakes." Yeah, yeah, yeah....

(from Rawan's teacher to my sister and brother-in-law)
Just wanted to send you both an email about how delightful and wonderful Rawan is. I've said it before, but want to say it again, she truly is a remarkable girl. She is such a caring friend, student, and child. Her kindness is felt by all. Her love of school is evident in everything she pursues. She is considerate and respectful to everyone. She is a bright and intelligent girl, and her inventive writing is only one example of her many academic achievements.

(me)
Makes me want to cry with pride and amazement at how this 5-year-old was born with this gift, this empathy.

When she was 4 years old, and I asked her if she would rather exchange the flashlight I bought her for something else or a different design, and she reassured me- no, it's nice, I really like this, I'll keep this one. As if I were the child and she the adult.

Mashallah.