Let me start by saying that one of my favorite - ABSOLUTE FAVORITE - things in the whole world is the sound of my little boy Chance saying all right. He says it kind of like Elmer Fudd - "Aw-wite", but instead of dragged out and whiny sounding, he says it quick and cheerful and sweet. So sweet. He says it all of the time. Whenever I tell him - Chance, you need to pick up your room before you go outside. "Aw-wite." Can you put those towels away for me, honey? "Aw-wite." Go brush your teeth. "Aw-wite". He doesn't argue, or question, or even hesitate - just "aw-wite". Every time I hear it - EVERY SINGLE TIME - it makes my heart smile.
Well, last night we were all gathered around the island in the kitchen (funny how that always happens, isn't it?) - the kids were doing their homework, I was fixing dinner, etc. I was walking toward the refrigerator and was telling Chance to put his homework in his backpack when he was finished and he said "all right". Bailey & I both stopped dead in our tracks and stared at each other.
I could feel my heart break just a little.
"What did you say, Chance?" I said. "All right," Chance said. Jack, Bailey & I exchanged anguished looks of understanding. Right there, in that very moment, sitting at the island with his still-small hand wrapped around a Sponge Bob pencil, Chance had grown up a little. And "aw-wite" was gone.
Forever.
And that's how it happens. They grow up right in front of us in the blink of an eye. IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE, PEOPLE!
Later, I explained to Chance that he used to say all right differently and if he wanted to throw me one last "aw-wite" for Old Time's (an hour ago) Sake - he could. And he just looked at me like he had no idea what I was talking about, but then he smiled and sweetly said "aw-wite".
But y'all.
It was different. He was different.
Because, as you know, we can't ever go back. Not years. Not an hour. Not even a blink. Not even if we really, really. REALLY. Want to.
So, Good-bye oh-so sweet, innocent, staggeringly precious "aw-wite".
I will miss you so.
3 comments:
Krystal: You don't have an email address with your name when you comment--but I hope you get the message this way. You want to make it snow on your blog? It's a widget. Just type: Make snow fall on my blog into google and it will bring it up. That's how I did it!
http://everything-u-need-is-here.blogspot.com/2008/12/snow-effect-widget-for-blogger.html
OR Try that link.
Awwwwww! And I totally understand. We have a few of those sayings around here too, and I never correct them. I wish she could stay 4 forever. Ok, maybe not forever, but long enough.
Coming to exchange cookies tomorrow?
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