It
was three degrees below zero. The sun shone brightly through the
frosty windows. January was on its way out, but the cold would prove
its presence. I sat in my living room, with little homemade curtains
and the braided rug I'd gotten from my mom's home when she moved. At
22 years old, I had seen a few things, lived through some struggles,
had a couple of achievements. But, this day was new and very, very
different. This was the day that would set a new precedence for the
rest of my life. This was the day I first held my new born, first
born, child.
Can
you feel it with me? Can you sense the little fingers and toes? I
remember his little mouth shaped like a little O – as if in wOnder.
His little eyes looked around the room brightly and expectantly.
This was my baby. This was pure joy. This was TRUE LOVE.
There
is no other love like this. None. The love you feel for a child you
just birthed is one-of-a-kind. It is not for everyone to feel. Some
don't want this feeling. Some aren't given this opportunity. I surely didn't know what it would feel
like before it happened. I was lucky enough to feel it twice in my
life.
You
know what? I still feel it. I am in that glowing place right now as
I write this. I wanted the world to go away on that frigid January
morning so that the I could keep the small little wonder all to myself
and never let it go.
But,
we can't do this. We can't hold other people down. We have to let
them live. We must encourage them to grow. We must take our place
in the audience of their lives and watch from a distance.
That
child is 28 years old today and I am in utter and incredible awe of
him. I don't know of a better young man. This is a man who served
his country in war by putting his own life at risk. This is a man
who calls his mother to tell her silly little things he's witnessed
or heard. He is my favorite man. He always will be. I ENJOY him
with the deepest love and respect a mother can have. Happy Birthday,
sweetie...and happy remembering to me.
Who
has your truest, truest love? Appreciate and enjoy them today.
Take
Good Care Today.
When your grown son or daughter calls you on the phone to share something that they think is funny or to tell you a joke, I think that is the greatest compliment that they can give you. What they're telling you is they "get you"and you "get them. What could be more wonderful than that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet memory and to think I remember those days with you. I can see that room and Ben's little face and Karen seemed HUGE in comparison! Ben holds a special place in my heart. He always has. Happy Birthday to him.
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