Needing the Connection

Today was supposed to be a very busy work day for me. I was booked from 9am thru 7:30pm. So, this morning when Sam woke up and he was a bit grumpy and tired and said he didn't feel good we said he needed to go to school. He spoke to his father and then later in the morning asked me how I was feeling and if I wasn't feeling well either (maybe trying to get a compadre to commisserate?). Anyway, he wasn't sick ~ no fever, headache, aches or pains, runny nose, watery eyes ~ nothing. Just tired and grumpy. AND I was not about to change MY plans for the day... after all I was booked and he had a weekend filled with friends spending the night (up late) and sledding all day and go go go, which is why he was tired anyway.

Of course, sometimes our stubborn ego's don't win... As Sam was leaving he made it a point to let me know how much he didn't feel good and said he understood that he had to go to school even though he didn't feel good and he wished he could just go back to bed. I was still on that I'M NOT CHANGING MY PLANS theme...

Jim and Sam were at the bottom of the driveway waiting for the bus and I heard "bring him back, bring him back, bring him back..." What don't you understand --- "BRING HIM BACK". What could I do ~ I know that when I hear something I listen even though I may not understand or even really want to soooo I brought him back.

I had to call all my appointments and let them know that I had a sick kid at home and did some juggling with time, etc, and each one of them said what a coincidence it was that I was calling them because they had suddenly had something come up (illness, car issues, wrote the wrong date on the calander, forgot about another appointment at the same time) and they would need to reschedule too! Of course, what else would I expect ~ again, what part of bring him back don't I get?

With all that said, Sam sat and listened to me juggle and reschedule and when I was done he said "wow you had to reschedule a lot for me... (sigh) why did you do it?" and I said what any "Mom" would said "I may not be your Mom, but I love your Dad which means that I love you... and that's what you do when you love someone". This actually got me a half hug and an interesting heart connection that had not been there moments prior.

Sam rested for the morning and then he had energy and HAD to go to the creek. It was fascinating watching him, I could almost see the creek calling to him and he had a physical reaction, like a pulling of his body toward the creek... We just had to go see it. So we did.

We walked the creek, took some photos and a video, noticed all the tree branches, and things floating, the beaver hill in the middle, the way the weeds moved differently than the trees, how different areas had "white caps" and other areas looked almost still... It was awe filled.
Then later on we built a little bonfire by the pond and "roasted" tater tots (can you imagine !!) and he told me stories and we talked about how hundreds of years ago the only thing people worried about was where was their next meal coming from and how could I stay sheltered from the elements. Much more to that conversation but I can't even begin to articulate the imaginings of this beautiful boy.

The day ended and he went to bed, and I got a hug and then a little elbow to the side and that amazing smile that says "thanks for a great day, you're not so bad...".
And ya know what, I would do the entire day again in a heart beat, I can't remember a day so perfect in quite some time and I am going to sleep with more love in my heart than I started with. Kudo's to me for listening! Kudo's to Sam for being Sam, Kudo's for Jim for bringing him back!