The Beast

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, lived a young prince in a shining castle.  Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish, and unkind.  But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle and offered him a single rose in return for shelter from the bitter cold.  Repulsed by her haggard appearance, the prince sneered at the gift and turned the old woman away, but she warned him not to be deceived by appearances, for beauty is found within...as a punishment, she transformed him into a hideous beast...If he could learn to love another and earn her love in return by his twenty-first year, then the spell would be broken.  As the years passed, he fell into despair and lost all hope, for who could ever learn to love a beast?*

Daniel is my beast.  He was just born this way.  He is time-intensive, high needs, energetic, stubborn, strong-willed, opinionated, and down-right sassy.  His favorite word is NO.  He won't do anything unless it is his idea.  He is very noisy and disruptive during our school day.  If he senses that something is going to happen, he suddenly becomes even louder and needier until he breaks down into a screaming crying mess.  Like today when I wanted to do a simple science demonstration (it could hardly be called an experiment), he started screaming that he needed to go outside and play.

Thank goodness Mark was able to take a quick break and take him for a walk down to the pond.  I was able to quickly finish the demonstration, get IJ and Shane writing up the results, and head out with Lula to relieve him.  I needed some fresh air...and some perspective too.

Daniel can also be so loving and funny.  He is a perfect companion when tootling around outside in a garden or when doing things in the kitchen.  He knows the letter H because he helps me close the dishwasher door and push "start."  The display shows 2H when he pushes right button.  He is happiest when his brothers shower him with coloring time or cars and trains time.  He is so blessed to have these older brothers (who play with him because they remember what it is like to have an older sibling play with them).

This boy is a constant lesson in patience...and the rest of the fruits of the spirit.  His beauty is found within, just like the Beast, and we in our little home need to be like Belle.  By loving him and being an example for him, he will eventually grow out of his beastly behavior and blossom into a handsome prince-hopefully by his 21st year!  So anytime I forget this lesson, I need to come back and read this post again...and again...and again!

*Paraphrased from Disney's Beauty and the Beast.  It was my favorite Disney princess movie until Princess and the Frog came out.  Now they are tied *smile*