“For it was not into my ear you whispered, but into my heart.”
Judy Garland
Many of my blog articles poke fun at my motherly mishaps. But this one is a real heart string tugger. This reflection, from about four years ago, remains one of the greatest parental lessons I have ever learned. Probably because it taught me two things. One of those being that children are amazing teachers.
“DON’T LEAVE ME…..” That’s what my son was whispering. I can still hear his younger voice saying those three words as I was trying to stand. He was 10-years old at the time. His little head was lying softly on my neck; his fingers twisting my hair, “pulging” he calls it.
“I am not leaving you, Kyle.”
“Yes you are.” He pressed his nose against mine.
“No I am not….” I am just going to the kitchen.” Kyle pulled my head back to his nose, then whispered into my eye.
“That’s leaving me…. same thing.”
The power of a whisper. It moved through me with such a gentle force that it completely reprioritized every cell in my body. I curled back into my son’s blue and white baseball blanket. I brushed my fingers through his red hair thinking a question that to this day remains deep in my soul: How does a little boy have such deep wisdom?
I kissed his wrist. We cuddled another hour. At least I think it was an hour — I am still lost inside that moment. If you have a blessed lesson learned from your child or someone elses, please leave a comment. I am sure we would all love to hear it. Thanks.
Hi - reading your article above touched me. A person does not know how precious a child is until sometimes it is to late. My son once said to me don’t leave me. I didn’t but he did 5 years ago when God took him home. Thats when you miss those
little things. My son was 42 and had a heart attack.
Your website is just great. Would love hearing from you.
Sondra
My little boy is 9 years old and he lays at night with his two little hands cupped around my face with his short fat little fingers. I never want to move when he has his special little fingers on my face. I am so sorry for your loss and pray that i will always have this to hold on to. when he says to me “mom, can we go snuggle?” I am so quick to say “not right now, but in a little while ok. He looks at me with those sad eyes and says ” OK mom”. I know that he will not want to snuggle much more in his life, and realize how i could so easily lose this one day. I made a promise to myself and to him, that i will not use the words ” not right now sweetie, maybe in a little while” much more in our lives. as i know just how quick they slip away.
Thank you so much for sharing that heartfelt story of your son Sondra. It really touched my heart.
Kimberly
I’m learning to grab all those moments while I can, because my oldest is 11, and the time has just BLOWN by. Makes me feel a little mournful. He’s going to be driving before I know it, and then home from college, and then visiting with his family…
Where does the time go?!
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