Pinky Promise

I haven't been writing about my crazy kids lately. I haven't been sharing my ups and downs with parenting (because this whole thing is a roller coaster of joy and pain). And I haven't told you how I'm starting to understand what people mean when they say "it all goes by so fast..."

I did want to share a conversation I had with my 5-year-old son this morning as we drove to preschool.

We were covering the basics around levels of education. First we go to preschool, then elementary school, then middle school, then high school, then university. Things got really emotional when we got to the university level. He realized I was talking about him leaving home and he put his foot down.

The little guy made it clear he will always want to live with me. As in forever. And he doesn't want a wife and children unless we can all live together. He was so serious, and so saddened at the idea of us ever being split apart. Looking at his troubled face, I too was saddened at the prospect of my son ever leaving home. I can't imagine NOT living with my sweet little guy forever and ever.

We were pretty worked up by the time we got to drop off and I kinda wanted to just keep driving with him...enjoy the moment for as long as possible. My beautiful five-year-old, wanting nothing more than a guarantee we could always be together (and no, living next door wasn't a satisfactory option for him).

The little guy made me pinky promise that we will live together forever. I told him that if that's what he wants, then yes, I pinky promise.

A Belated Thank You

I never told you the story about the woman I sat next to on the train from DC to NYC last month.  She was in her 50s, I'm guessing, and was on her way home for a one night get away.  She was extremely excited as she was going to see her boyfriend and go out on the town. 

So why was she going home for only one night, you ask?  This woman, a mother of three, has been living at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for the past three months as her son recovers from injuries sustained while serving in Afghanistan.  She has not left his side since the day he returned.  She has helped him through the twelve surgeries he's had since coming back home.  He is only 20 years old. 

I meant to write this on Friday, Veterans Day, but didn't manage to get the computer turned on.  I haven't stopped thinking about that Mother.  While talking to her I couldn't help but picture what it would be like to watch your boy go off to war and then to return in that kind of pain.  It brought tears to my eyes and I asked her to tell him thank you for everything he has done.  I just don't think I'd be able to let the little guy go off to war.  Yet Mothers all around the world have to experience it every day.

I don't want to get political with this post.  I just want to say thank you to all the men and women who sacrifice so much.  I also want to acknowledge all the strong men, women and children who are left at home while their family members are off serving their country.  Thank you.   

The Cuddles

I have a good friend due to have her first baby at the end of the month.  Today she came by with her husband to pick up some baby stuff we're lending them.  I am glad to see it put to good use.  But it also made me realize I don't really need to keep all this stuff.  My baby is 19 months old now and will never need a little swing or bouncy seat again.

Thinking about it made me a bit sad.  It also made me long for the cuddles I used to get from both of my kids when they were babies.  There is a closeness you lose as your children grow, and I miss it.

So it's funny that on a day I was missing my snuggles, my son gave me such a special gift.  The kids went to bed a little later than usual tonight and my son was exhausted by the time I was getting him in his onesie and sleep sack.  I don't know how it happened but I ended up holding him and rocking back and forth while humming.  And he let me just hold him.  He didn't squirm.  He didn't try to wiggle out of the hug.  And he didn't push away from me with all his strength.  This lasted a few minutes, and it was bliss.

There's nothing like holding a little one in your arms.  A few years ago I wouldn't have believed that I could miss it.

My Clover

I have so many complaints about my day, but I am in the mood to share a happy part.

At 3:05 pm, the little guy and I made our way out the door to pick the babe up at school.  I usually lock up and hold his hand so he can make it down the 2 front steps.  Today, after helping him down, I decided to walk off and see if he'd follow.  I made it down the long path to the car and turned back to see him messing around with some clovers near the front door.  I told him to come along and he started doing his very cute "fast walk."  It was so sweet to watch my little love bug making his own way down the path with all his flashy mobility.

He then showed me something in his hand.  It was a clover flower.  It made my heart melt when he started holding it to his nose and blowing on it as if he was trying to smell it.  He'd take a big reverse whiff and give me a huge smile.  I found the fact that the little guy didn't know how to smell the clover, but still got a huge kick out of it, pretty entertaining.

I got him in his car seat and managed to convince him the flower was for me.  I was pretty sure if I didn't get it back from him he'd eat it on the way to school.  So he gave it to me and I felt warm and fuzzy that I had received the first flower my son will ever give me.  And that's my nice story of the day.