a few months ago, all the kids needed new undies. (they'll love me for sharing that someday.) standing there looking at the character underwear, i ask noah which ones he wants. i could see he was standing back a little from the rack and when i asked he was like, "um, can i just get plain ones? i'm not really into the character ones anymore." and just like that, at nine years old, he crossed over.
no warning.
no heads up so i could prepare my heart, and standing there in the aisle i felt the squeeze of the going away.
it steals your breath. it does.
+ + + + + + +
this week, i walked into my room, to put myself to bed. when i opened the door there was a box resting between my pillow and danny's.
(there was also a little zipper pouch addressed to me, filled with dried rose petals.)
the box was addressed:
mom and dad, not mama and daddy.
nothing could prepare me for what it contained.
i opened the box, and my heart lay inside.
she put my heart in a box.
this monkey has been her favorite stuffed animal for years. she fell in love with it when she first laid eyes on it. it has been her Velveteen Rabbit. Monkey and Bugs (her blanket) have gone everywhere with us.
i walked into her room, holding Monkey, and said, "you're done with Monkey?" "yeah", she said.
just like that. eight years old.
i said, "ok, now listen, you can't do that with Bugs next week, okay? i can't handle that." to which she responded by shoving her unraveling, tattered blanket under her covers to signify that she wasn't giving it up any time soon.
naturally, i've spent the last two nights with my fingers wrapped around Monkey. she may be able to let her go, but i'm not ready yet.
i'm going to need more time.
oh, jodie. this took my breath away. how
ReplyDeletea child steals and squeezes your heart. i
wonder if the bunny in the box was her way
of thinking about the wondrous babe in your
tummy?
i asked her later if she'd like for me to hang onto it to give to the baby. she said yes. :)
Deleteshe is so sweet :)
Deleteps, i tried to pin but only know how to re-pin
ReplyDeletethings, the destiny of followers not leaders.
haha! you crack me up. seriously.
DeleteOh goodness. You just made me cry. I was imagining that this was Savannah's Pooh bear that she's had since she was 9 months old, and is basically in tatters. So hard on our mommy hearts, huh?
ReplyDeleteYES, and every time i am completely blindsided. i KNOW that they grow up and move along... i know it... but when i see it happen i always feel like it came "out of nowhere". i'm always bewildered and also a bit horrified. it looks like a confused face and my mouth screaming 'nooooooo!'
Deleteit is so hard.
Sheesh...second one down and I'm blubbering already.
ReplyDeleteDid she really do that? She really boxed it up like a gift and gave Monkey back? Oh my goodness. It's almost more than I can stand. *sniff*
It's rough, girl, but good things are comin' too. Good things are comin'. <3
Be still my heart!
ReplyDeleteAnd HELLO you have the cutest babies/kids evah. I can't wait to see this new one.