[reason 37] acceptance

I am incredibly impressed with my fourteen year old. One of the people in Onyx's life that they treasure beyond measure will be in the hospital for months, being treated for leukemia. Onyx and I drive to Boston Children's every Monday to visit. Onyx listens and laughs and shares and encourages. They remind their friend that if they're too tired and need a nap, we can take a walk and get some coffee and allow them as long as they need to rest - or that they can kick us out altogether if that's what they need to do. Onyx doesn't flinch at ivs or ng tubes or hair loss and asks gentle questions, allowing their friend to say as much or as little as they need. They are ok with just sitting and being with their friend if that's what is needed, understanding that sometimes the energy isn't there for interaction, but just having someone there can be comforting. They love and accept their friend as they are, realizing that the disease doesn't define them.