What a great topic! I think it's an important one. When things get really bad it can be hard to remember the good side. Especially when you haven't seen that side in a good, long while.
My difficult child: He is so smart (though grades You can have such mature, in-depth, intelligent conversations with him. We have great talks about current events, politics, etc. He can be bashful and when talking about girls blushes. He is loyal to a fault. He doesn't want anyone saying anything bad about his family (extended too) or friends. He's always out to defend the underdog. He has a real sense of right and wrong. He's extremely sensitive to fairness (this is good and bad). Freshman year he jumped in the middle of a fight at school because two brothers were beating up a kid he knew from the Haunted House and had split his face open with a lock. He didn't even like the kid but felt the fight was unfair and felt a sense of loyalty to the kid since they worked the HH together every year. Though he treats his little brother terribly he once tried to hunt down a kid who had hit his brother with a stick in the park. He's the kid that will always talk to and work with the "disabled" kids. He treats them like they're cool kids, just like anyone else in their grade. He LIKES them instead of feeling pitty, or even a sense of responsibility towards them. Despite the fact that he doesn't like our mostly crabby elderly neighbor he helps her carry in her groceries, change a lightbulb, etc. He helps our landlord (who's not always in god health) with the yard work and big spring plantings, helps her carry in groceries, etc. He holds the door for everyone. Old ladies always comment on how sweet and polite he is. He's honest (mostly) and opinionated, also to a fault. You always know where you stand with him. He's all upfront. He was the one that was concerned about me when I came home sick and fell asleep on the couch and he could see me shivering with the chills, etc while I slept. He demanded that I be woken up and have my temp taken. He was truely concerned.
My easy child is sweet and fun. He can make anything fun. Most of us wish we were more like him that way. He rolls with the punches. He's a major cutie and has a smile that gets him out of trouble with people that don't know better. He's willing to stand up for others. He's very loyal to his friends (and even when questioned by the police wouldn't rat them out, sigh..). He's kind and he's nice to me. He's also nice to the "disabled kids" the same way his brother is. He tries hard in school and is a good athlete. He also carries in groceries, etc for the elderly neighbor and landlady. He holds doors and also receives the comments from the "old ladies". He's funny, really funny. Always has a positive attitude. Always up for trying soemthing new. A budding chef. Mostly he's sweet and fun.
This was a really healthy exercise that we should all do once in a while.
