A Night of Respite

We just got back from camping at Edisto Beach and Beaufort on Friday afternoon. Kayla’s sister mentioned that she wanted to take Kayla to the upstate to her aunt’s house Friday night and then go to a Southern gospel hymn sing on Saturday. I began preparing Kayla for the possibility (the choice would ultimately be hers!), on Friday morning while traveling the road to home. At first she gave me a adamant NO! by shaking her head. I always try to make her sign “No, thank you” so it seems more kindly given. She did just that a few times upon my mentioning the trip/visit. When we got home, I told her we needed to get her in the shower, and took out a magic purple overnight bag that she and I use when we go visit her aunt. I casually put it on the bed in the guest bedroom and slowly began placing some clothes and other necessities in it throughout the day. (Kayla glanced into that room every time she went down the hall to watch the progression on my packing). When her sister came after supper, Kayla was excited to see her and then perched on the couch in the living room. We visited awhile and low and behold Kayla signed “L” for her aunt’s name and her sister jumped up and said, “Oh, are you ready to go?” and Kayla shook her Yes sign, and got up from the couch. They had a great trip and I have been told Kayla giggled a lot and occasionally asked about me! While she was gone on Saturday, I was able to get a lot of things done without interruption that would have taken me much longer had Kayla been here. When Kayla got home she was excited to be here and checked out all around the kitchen to see what I had been doing, what I was preparing for Sunday lunch, and observe if I had purchased any new groceries. I missed her but am glad she was content to be somewhere without me and spend quality time with her sister and aunt.