What is patience?

I gathered a bunch of books together and put the kids on my bed the other night and asked them to look at books for just five minutes while I practiced my violin. No sooner had I started playing and David asked, "Are you done yet mommy?" I said, "Almost, please keep reading." This same dialogue continued every 20 seconds for the next five minutes until I couldn't take it anymore. Just as I was about to say, "David please be patient I just need one more minute" David said in the sweetest voice, "Mommy, are you almost done? We've been waiting so patiently." It hit me like a ton of bricks-- from his perspective he had been the most patient boy in the world. He could have started throwing a tantrum or being mean to Mary or screaming at me to stop, but he didn't. I really need to step back and remember what patience is to a three year old more often!