Brave Knight Gavin

We just got back from the best ever visit to a clinic/hospital/doctor we've EVER had here in Russia. It's coming up on 3 months since we renewed our visas and time to do it again- so we headed off early this morning to go to the city HIV/AIDS clinic to get our required blood tests that we need to apply for a new visa. Last time we were there there were a few hundred people waiting in line to go in- today there were only 3! We told Gavin yesterday that we were going to the doctor today and that he was going to get a shot- for which he was very excited- crazy kid! We talked about Blue (from Blue's Clues) and Gavin retold us several times how she got a shot and the doctor counted to 3 and Blue felt a pinch then she got a fun band aid. He repeated "1,2,3, pinch!" all the way to the clinic. Everyone there remembered us and was very apologetic that we had to have blood drawn again! Funny...like it was their fault :) We finally went into the lab to have our blood drawn- JB went first and Gavin watched. They took 2 vials of blood from JB, which I thought was a bit strange, plus they didn't get a pediatric needle out for Gavin- I just figured I would ask them when it was Gavin's turn to go. Gavin jumped up in JB's lap to have his 'turn' but the nurses insisted that I was next. Okay. So, again Gavin sat and watched with anticipation. They only took one vial of my blood and told me they would just issue Carter a certificate w/ my results. Gavin then sat down for his turn and was very disappointed to find out that he didn't need to have his "shot"! The nurses just took an extra vial of JB's blood and put Gavin's name on it! They didn't want to have anything to do with poking a child unnecessarily- they reasoned that if his results were negative 3 months ago why would they be any different today. Then, of course, they opened up the big box of chocolates sitting on their desk and let Carter and Gavin choose one! As Carter chowed down on his very first piece of melting chocolate candy, Gavin broke down crying- he wanted his shot! What???? What kid wants a shot?! So, when we got out to the car JB pretended to give him a shot and then put on the special character band aid that I had brought with us- that seemed to satisfy him. I am very thankful for such a brave little knight! I can't understand how he could possibly be sad they didn't take his blood, but I'm very thankful that he's not frightened of doctors and needles- especially since we have to do this again in another 3 months! Next time we go, we'll be bringing the ladies chocolate! They were so kind to us and sweet to our children!