From adversity, something good (a GM of sorts)

I posted a GM here on Monday, concerning my niece. She's visiting for the week, along with other in-laws. What happened last night was humbling (initially) and later very satisfying.

As I posted earlier, my niece and always tease each other about everything. On Thursday, she and the rest of the visiting group went to some local caves. When they came back, I was talking to each of them, as I got supper ready for them. At one point, I quietly asked her brother if they had tried to leave her behind in the caves. He laughed, and joked "Yes". She then asked me "What did you say?". I answered "I asked your brother something." She said "I heard you say my name. What did you say?" I answered "I didn't say anything to you, I asked your brother." At that point, I turned all my attention to supper.

When it was time to eat, she wasn't around. Then my wife came out and said "You better go in there and make amends." I asked her what she was talking about, and she said my niece was in her room crying. I was devastated! I had no idea she would be hurt by the conversation with her brother. I immediately went the bedroom where she was staying.

She was lying in bed, face down, crying in her pillow. I sat down on the bed next to her, and started giving her a backrub. I asked "What's wrong?" [no response] I then told her how happy I was to see her, how happy I was that she was visiting, and how sorry I was that I had said or done something that had hurt her feelings. I told that it really hurt me to know that I had done something to hurt her. And I apologized again. At that point, she sat up and said "That's okay." I put both arms around her and gave her a BIG hug. Then my wife came into the room to end it.

At supper, my niece complimented me on my cooking, which she has never done before, and seemed to appreciate me more. Later that night, I was helping her catch lightning bugs, and again took the opportunity to tell her how much I enjoyed seeing her (with a hug, of course!).

I have realized since then, that our conversation in her bedroom last night was probably the first personal, serious talk we'd ever had. I want more!

They left this morning. We were trying to decide whether I should say good -bye last night, or if they would be up before I went to work. She asked when I left for work, and she said to wake her before I left. So this morning, I went in to wake her up. It took a little talking to her, rubbing her leg, etc. to wake her up, but eventually she did. I told her, again how happy I was to see her, and said good-bye. She smiled, said good-bye, and asked if I was going to be visiting in August when the rest of my family visits where she lives. I said probably not, but I'd see her at Christmas. She gave me a hug, and I left for work. They left this morning, and I miss her already!