Always and forever, it’s the little things in life that delight me. This morning, the “little thing” came in the form of a note from my 6-year-old. I was in my typical morning fog, and as I emerged from the bathroom, a chipper little dude decked out in his school uniform met me in the hall. “Morning,” I said, then proceeded to move past him, but he stopped me, tapping me on the leg.
“I have sompin’ for ya, Mom,” he said, thrusting a small yellow card at me.
Instantly, I was awake and thoroughly joyful. It was better than the strongest shot of caffeine. I bent down and gave him a huge, truly heartfelt hug. To someone else, this card might seem like a few imperfect scratches on a page. But to me, it’s my son’s attempt at showing love. I received the message loud and clear.
He was in an especially good mood for another reason today. His class was released several hours early due to an event at his school. However, only the kindergarteners got to go early. His sisters had to stay the duration. It was an extra-special day for him playing “mock hookie” and I took him and his little bro for a special lunch at Burger King to celebrate his “half-day out.” He feels slighted when he hears reports of our during-the-school-day outings, and I enjoyed having just the two of them with me again.
Nick was especially excited to have his brother along, and they both lit up over the idea of hanging at BK together. While we were waiting for our burgers, Adam pointed to a food bag and said, “Does that say, “Win?” Indeed it did. “Yes, how did you know?” I asked. “Oh, I just sounded it out.” Another leap of the heart for me. My guy is learning how to read!
Of course, Nick, 3, didn’t want to be left out. “That says Win,” he declared, pointing to the same bag. “Yes, how did you know?” “Because Adam said so.” Yeah, Adam will be “saying so” a lot in the next couple years. You don’t get too many breaks as fifth of five, but, as I often say, you take your luck as it comes.
To give Nick his due, just yesterday I said to him, “Hey Nick, I love you.”
“I know,” he said casually, walking in the other direction. Then he turned around and added, just as matter-of-factly, “I’ve always known that.”
I am so glad he takes the love of his mother for granted. I know not every child does. I hope it will always be so.
And I hope your day was brightened with a “little thing” or two, too.
OMG! That was such a sweet post!!!! Thanks for sharing that with us! Talk about receiving the currency that can keep you going through the toughest days of Motherhood! If you didn’t have the blog (we wouldn’t have ever met &) you might forget this moment! What a blessing!
=)
That was just great. As I’m sitting here getting frustrated that our snow day is getting in the way of my work, your post reminds me that maybe today I need to put the work aside for a while and savor this unexpected time together.
Sometimes we do need the little bumps to knock us off the crazy track of futility. 🙂 Or, just to take a moment to smell the roses (or the smell of our loved one’s hair when we hug them). Good to hear from you both.
Jen, I meant to say too, you’re right. So many of these moments would have passed by in a very mundane fashion if not for the chance to write about them. I love that about writing — we get to live twice in some ways.
What a beautiful post.
Wonderful post!
Somehow a box a notes, letters, pictures, and kiddie art was perserved though my parents multiple marriages and divorces…my sister and I found it about a year ago. It was absolutely amazing that what we wrote and made 30 years ago….shines though in our personalities so resolutely today.