the only choice
Cuddling beside my boy, his shaggy hair between my fingers.
It’s late and he wants to talk.
I was going to offer a quick tuck in and then do
some writing,
some reading,
some anything else
in the magical quiet hours after children fall asleep.
But he pressed his back against me,
shoved his ever-growing, warm, newly size 6 feet against my cold feet
and so I stayed.
Held him closer.
We whispered into the dark night
about fishing lures and Harry Potter and times when he’s been afraid.
“When I can’t find a family member, I get scared,” he confided.
We talked about the time he was at the theatre for a rehearsal and he couldn’t locate Piper Finn when he was looking for her.
“Mr. Joe helped me. She was on the stage, saying her lines. But I was scared. I was sad.”
I know what you mean, son.
I know exactly how you felt.
We eventually fell asleep, holding hands and snuggling close.
I missed writing.
I missed reading.
I missed the time spent doing anything else.
It was a good trade, of course.
The best kind of trade.
An obvious choice.
It’s a known fact that he won’t be nine for long. We’ve already been planning his birthday meals for the big entrance into double digits.
And not every ten-year-old fellow asks to cuddle. With each increased age number, the late night talks shift and fade.
Which is why ……
when your nine-year-old son wants to cuddle,
when your nine-year-old son wants to talk,
there’s only one thing to do.
5 Comments
Sara
Your children are so blessed to have you. I’m at a conference right now hearing about how all important touch is to children. What is normal and natural for you is so missing in this world.
Hold them tightly. Love them well.
Lana
Yes, the right choice. Because what seems to be overnight he will be 35 and have 3 children of his own. Or he will be 26 and an officer in the Air Force and far away. Or 25 and his heart will belong to his red haired wife.
Matt Craft
So good Lacey. So true. Wish I could do something for you all. Please let us know if you ever need anything. Matt and Jessica and Liam.
laceykeigley
Thanks Matt!
And you do plenty! Just keep loving your family well, my friend.
Donna Thomas
Thank you Lacey! I miss those times with my daughters. Although we still talk about silly things, deep things of the heart, I still miss those times of holding them to calm their fears and sooth away the sadness of their day, but thankful the memory is still tucked deep within my heart.