Monday Moments

I'm sure every parent has those moments. Those moments when you look at your child and something about them just touches you. Those moments that are different - special. Those moments that you're not really looking for or expecting. They just happen.

I had a couple of those moments today. There were a couple of moments when I looked at Aaron Ty and couldn't say anything, couldn't move, could only smile. The first time he was standing in front of me and talking to me, telling me a story that I can't even remember now. But the look on his face was one I can't get out of my head. He was so serious, so much older than merely four years of age, yet so innocent. When he was done talking he asked, "what?"

All I could do was smile and say, "Nothing. I'm just looking at you." That's all I was doing afterall. I know I should really have been listening more intently, but instead I was fascinated by him; thinking about the way his mind was working, the way his eyes moved and the way his mouth formed the words. I was thinking about him not as a little boy, but as life - as a miracle - as one with the curiosity and wonder as only a child can have. All I could do was smile.

The other was as I was pulling into the drive. I saw he and his mother in the parking lot and he began to run. I stopped and stared at his long strides. And it hit me - "long" strides. I didn't realize how long his legs were. He is really growing. Those long legs were carrying him to the playground, but soon will carry him to so many more experiences.

Watching a child grow is the most rewarding and wonderous thing anyone can do. For all the problems of life and of the world, here is hope.