A while back Selena and I were headed upstairs to bed and she asked me to stop. She put her hands on my cheeks and looked into my eyes and said, "Mom, do you want to know what I like best about you?" And I, of course, happily said yes. And then she began an incredible list of things beyond her years that brought me tears of joy. I thought she was going to say my nose or my ears or something. But instead she said, and I'm not going to be able to quote it in full of course but I stamped the moment in my brain as it was happening so it will be close, she said:
"What I like best about you is that you listen to me and that you try to keep me and Sam from fighting, and that you say 'Let's wrestle,' to me when you know I need you to and that you try not to get mad at me, and I really think you need to work on that more, mom, OK?, just don't get mad at me because I'm just not that meaningfulish, and what else I really like is that you really liked my painting I made, see this one right here, where the red is the land and the blue is the water and the yellow is the sun and this little green spot over here is the lily pad and how you really liked how it looked, and I really like how you got me two guinea pigs instead of one when I wanted one and how you listen and we have fun and stuff and what I really like most is that you help me and Sam. I love you mom." Oh, my gosh, I remember in the middle of it thinking, remember this, remember this, this is your life, now. Be here, always. I know I've forgotten parts of it, and I can't relate how long it took her to say it all, or how she pauses and thinks and kind of licks her lips, and the way she nods her head and all the other beautiful details.
That's great. Sometimes I wish moments like that could be captured somehow like on a secret hidden video camera to ensure that they're not forgotten or anything, but the important part is to be present and to live it right then and there, in the moment. It's nice when you remember though, and can share something close to the reality of it with others. Thanks!
Thanks Ellen! I agree, the important part is to be living it. It doesn't hurt to share it either.
Jane, you just completely and absolutely made my day! When I finished reading the newest entry, I was so brimming with excitement and energy that I had to go run around in my yard and do cartwheels. (you should feel special because it's cold and it just rained here =)) I love reading all of your entries, it makes me feel like I'm visiting with you. =]
That is beautiful. I love reading your blog it helps me when I go through the same struggles to hear how you work it out. Thanks! Danette
jane ive said this already to you, but .. I love love LOVE children!!! their wild heart rending honesty they are so... real baci da italia melissa
thanks for sharing this jane. my girls hold my cheeks when they are telling me something really sweet! it sure is nice to know your loved. havent checked here in a while, it was nice to go back and read everything.
Hi everyone. Thanks for all the kind words. :) I was needing to feel more joyful and had been saving this post for just this reason. So it's nice to have it playing out and touching others with joy too, sort of rippling out, and back again. Thanks.
Hi Jill! Nice to see you here! Thanks for your recent comments. Goodnight!
the precious little beings ( and bigger beings) sure make our lives rich, don't they :)
n and stuff and what I really like most is that you help me and Sam. I love you mom."
Comments (8)
That's great. Sometimes I wish moments like that could be captured somehow like on a secret hidden video camera to ensure that they're not forgotten or anything, but the important part is to be present and to live it right then and there, in the moment. It's nice when you remember though, and can share something close to the reality of it with others. Thanks!
Thanks Ellen! I agree, the important part is to be living it. It doesn't hurt to share it either.
Jane, you just completely and absolutely made my day! When I finished reading the newest entry, I was so brimming with excitement and energy that I had to go run around in my yard and do cartwheels. (you should feel special because it's cold and it just rained here =)) I love reading all of your entries, it makes me feel like I'm visiting with you. =]
That is beautiful. I love reading your blog it helps me when I go through the same struggles to hear how you work it out. Thanks!
Danette
jane ive said this already to you, but ..
I love love LOVE children!!!
their wild heart rending honesty
they are so...
real
baci da italia
melissa
thanks for sharing this jane. my girls hold my cheeks when they are telling me something really sweet! it sure is nice to know your loved. havent checked here in a while, it was nice to go back and read everything.
Hi everyone. Thanks for all the kind words. :) I was needing to feel more joyful and had been saving this post for just this reason. So it's nice to have it playing out and touching others with joy too, sort of rippling out, and back again. Thanks.
Hi Jill! Nice to see you here! Thanks for your recent comments. Goodnight!
the precious little beings ( and bigger beings) sure make our lives rich, don't they :)
beautiful, and treasure it always :)