My Facebook feed is overrun with snow-related posts. As are the blogs I frequent.
I’m not jealous; I’m not much of a snow bunny myself. Though one snow fall a year is a novelty I enjoy.
Here in the Old Pueblo we’re not so much dealing with snowflakes.
In fact–don’t hate me–the projected high temp Wednesday is, um, well, it’s 75. Sorry. Don’t shoot the messenger.
My little man and I have a date at the park; the swings are calling his name.
I hope he feels up to it.
He spent much of his day today like this.
For the most part, that tuckered out look melts my heart.
But–selfishly–sick days aren’t all bad.
Because those are the days when–even at three years old–nothing makes him as happy as Mommy’s lap.
Will you rock me? He asks. And every time I drop whatever it is I’m doing.
And we go to his room–to the rocker that I insisted was as imperative to his room as a crib.
We rock.
He curls into a question mark under my chin–tight against my chest–and he lets me stroke his hair.
We talk about his choice of the objects in his room {his ceiling fan and closet are among his most favorite}.
We read about old ladies who swallow flies. And wockets in pockets. And Terrible Plops.
For as long as he allows it, we rock.
I breathe deep, and do my best to plant the feel of him there into my heart.
The weight of him.
The curl of his fist.
His pouty bottom lip.
The shutter of my mind’s eye clicks away–fast and furious–but the rest of me just inhales. And rocks some more.
With any luck he’ll come home from the park tomorrow with two shoes chock full of sand.
Tomorrow he’ll be busy with the chasing and the whirling and twirling.
All the more reason to rock today.
For as long as he allows it.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Is it horrible to say that I love when my kids get a “wittle bit sick?”
Those cuddly little bodies do amazing things for Mommy’s hearts.
You know how to make an old lady cry
Beautifully written. I feel the same way. In fact, I have a sniffly 3-year-old girl asleep on my lap right now. :)
I hope little man is feeling better tomorrow!
This put a lump in my throat… breathe, breathe. We have so few of these moments, don’t we?
OK, how come I am smiling and crying at the same time – every time I read your blog – what love you share with your children – hold on to that forever because one day….they will graduate school, go in to the service, or away to college and find the man, girl of their dreams and then, the worst thing in the world happens, they move, far away so you can’t see them every day, or hold their children when they are sick and hurt..and you hear it when you are talking on the phone and all of a sudden a cry that breaks your heart comes out of no where….and you can’t do anything to help and they say “I’ll call you later, **** got hurt.” So Darcie, hold them while you can, and try not to let go.
Terri Thompson hit the nail on the head!! I hope you both are feeling better
Awh poor wittle guy! Glad you are getting some lovin’ in though!
Oh, I just love this. And I know exactly how you feel.
Sick days are not all that bad. Especially when you can do this.
I do hope he feels better tomorrow, though.
Great post – one all moms can relate to – especially since I’ve got 2 slightly sick kids coughing behind me right now. Terri’s comment made me teary! Hope you have a great day today. :)
I so agree. I love when my 3yo boy slows down and needs some TLC. But then after even 1 day I find that I miss my rambunxious little guy. We moms are crazy like that.
I’ve had sick kids for almost a month now, so I feel his and your pain!
Nell
Oh yes, I miss the rocking. My daughter, age 8, is too big to rock, but she still holds my hand and I hold on tight. I love that little hand in mine.
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