Being friends with Hope
Hoffman has taught my daughter, Naomi, patience, inclusion and
anonymity. Patience when all of their classmates run out of the
room for recess and Naomi hangs back to help Hope with her boots
or shoes. Inclusion to the point that Naomi automatically says, “let’s
play ‘this’ game ‘this way’ so Hope can do it too!” Anonymity
when Hope gives Naomi the nod and they both walk down to the nurse’s
station together. Forever trusting, understanding, unconditional friends!
Naomi doesn’t think of Hope as having a disability. She thinks
of Hope as her very best friend! A friend that she can do anything
and go anywhere with. Hope thinks of Naomi as her closest friend. Someone
she can say anything to, tease, play with and trust wholeheartedly.
They play, debate, and relate like sisters. They share a few friends
and have some separate friends too. They are great role models to their
peers. They’ve even banded together to turn in bullies! Their
relationship is more genuine than those of some adults I know.
As a parent I have tried
to teach my children to focus on the opportunity instead of the
deficits--to look for the successes and accomplishments in people.
I can tell that Naomi wants to be part of Hope’s future
successes. In turn, Hope gets equally excited when Naomi reaches another
level in reading or wins a ball game. Their support of each other’s
activities is also amazing. Naomi plays basketball and softball. Hope
is learning piano, plays the drums, and plays chess. But these differing
interests bring them closer together when they share the same hobbies
like swimming, singing, art and drama. If they did everything together
they would get bored with each other and possibly grow apart. There
are times when each of them is jealous of what the other can do better,
but they find a way to learn from each other instead of letting it
bother them for long. “Friends help friends,” Naomi said
the other day.
In a world where people
pass judgment on a daily basis, their friendship perseveres through
adversity and remains unconditional! ![]()
