Persistance

Monday evening was spent waiting. First waiting for Justin to come home, so that I could take Alexander to the hospital, then waiting in the hospital waiting room, and then waiting for a verdict.
Our poor giraffe was close to dehydration. The verdict was returned that he wasn't dehydrated yet, but close. In order to learn this, they had to take blood. I thought we'd be in trouble and there'd be a fight. Xander is notoriously stubborn. But instead he was exceptionally brave. The reward offered to him for this bravery was a choice between two Ty Beanie Baby Bears. This was not what he wanted and no amount of cajoling was going to convince him that a bear would do. He had heard someone mention stickers in passing and he had set his mind and will on stickers. Which he finally got.
I know that someday his persistence will be a boon. It will serve him well. He will not be easily swayed by world influences. He will be his own man as he is his own boy now.
But sometimes I wish for just a wee bit more compliance. For example, when we had to give him a Gravol. Suppository.