Growing Pains

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.

Squirrel Funeral

The kids were playing with some neigborhood friends down the street when a "tragedy" occurred. A squirrel ran out in the road & was run over by a passing car.

The kids were so upset about the injustice of it all. They gathered together and said a little improptu prayer for the squirrel. Then they started to sing.

I'm not kidding.

A neighbor thought it was so sweet she took this picture through her window and sent it to us. I'm thinking - there's 7 people there!

That's quite a good turnout for a Squirrel Funeral.

Then the neighbor went outside to talk with the kids & noticed someone else had joined their little service:

Touching, isn't it. Just touching.