Hunter’s mommy and daddy are off doing a ministry conference. For two whole days and nights he is mine, all mine. I keep him close. I listen to him set up “meetings” on an old cell phone with his little playmates. He thanks me profusely for the little “bed” I have created for him right next to me on the floor. Just as I am dozing off, I sense his little face close to mine. Leaning against the side of my bed with his head resting on his hands, he nonchalently starts a conversation as if it were 11:30 am instead of 11:30 pm.
“Do you want to cuddle for a few minutes?” I ask. “Yes, just for a few minutes, Nonna.” He climbs into bed and wraps his arms around me. We snuggle close, he is stroking my arm. I close my eyes and breathe him in – and wasn’t it just yesterday that his mommy was this little, this near? He is four and tomorrow he will be fourteen. I am memorizing the softness of his face on mine, of his raspy whisper talking about this and that and nothing at all.
A few minutes later I tuck him back in to his makeshift bed. I can see his long lashes in the moonlight. He will stay awake and watch me as long as I am watching him, so I know I must call it a night. I place my hand on his chest and pray over him – for God’s favor and blessing to rest on him. O God, make Your face to shine upon my little Hunter. Guide his steps, direct his path. God, bless my little man. Bless Him, Lord. Jesus, bless my Hunter! I cry out with intensity in the darkness. “Jesus bless you, Nonna!” Hunter finishes.
He has, Magoo. He has!…Hunter’s Nonna
NOTE TO SELF: Work on my Thanksgiving list of all the things I have to be grateful for, thankful for, don’t deserve…my list will be long.
pictured: Hunter with the mommy and daddy who are making him such a cool kid – jumping off a hay bail with total abandon; with his mom and dad; jumping off a train and being thrown 12 feet into the air-with glee!
Gavin drops in for a quick hello just before he goes to Kindergarten today. He is sporting a faux-hawk and asks me what I think, as he carefully touches the pointed tips of his hair to make sure it has remained where it was carefully coiffed and coaxed with gel to remain.
You look so cool, Gavin. I love your hair!
He peels off his coat, exhuberantly explains, “Look, Nonna! I have on two shirts!” He reveals a black t-shirt under a long-sleeved, vertically striped, button-down, dress shirt. I respond with appropriate glee at how good he looks.
“I have two shirts,” he finishes his thought. “Just like my daddy.” A resolute nod of his head along with a knowing look and the gentle smile on his lips – and I know that today, in this moment, Gavin has attained his highest and most precious goal: to be just like his daddy.
And I think of Tristan and quickly thank God that Gavin has a daddy worth emulating. He is becoming remarkable, just like his unusually remarkable father.
How full can one heart get?…Jeanie
NOTE TO SELF: Make my highest goal – to be like Father
