What I Admire

I didn’t realize how much I would admire my child. I mean, I know everyone says you learn more from your children than you could ever imagine. I’ve been told to beware that they will teach me more about myself than we can teach them about anything. One thing I didn’t expect is to admire his personality as much as I do and so soon. He is just over seven months old and already has me captivated. Yes, he’s cute, and of course I think he is brilliant at just about everything as most parents do (and should). However, there are a few things that really stand out.

He loves music. He especially loves the worship music at church. Once the music starts (and sometimes in anticipation just before it starts) he begins dancing. I don’t mean a head bobble or rocking back and forth. He dances with everything in him. Every part of him is moving, and you can feel the energy pouring out of him. Every ounce of him dances. His little heart beats so fast, you can feel it pounding in his chest when he takes a break to catch his breath. His arms flail about as if they are wings of a bird and about to take flight. If you aren’t careful, he will literally dance right out of your arms. He dances so hard he eventually crashes into your arms and sleeps after three or four songs. Wouldn’t you know it, he can actually keep a beat with the music! I wish I had a passion and carefreeness about me for things like that. I admire it. I wish I had a zest for life to where I would leave inhibitions behind to a point where I crash because I danced so hard. There’s such innocence about it. He doesn’t have the weight of the world on his shoulders…yet. I only wish I could protect him in a way that he will always feel that carefree.

He smiles and smiles BIG. When this little guy smiles, it’s not from ear to ear. It’s more like nose to chest. He opens his mouth wide open, and it’s the cutest thing ever. It’s as if he is taking all the happiness in. We recently took him on his first plane ride. He was pretty excited and smiling…big.

He tries new things. So far we haven’t found a food he won’t eat. Sure, we have foods he doesn’t like as much as others. I’ll put it in his mouth, and he will make a face of disgust. Then this sweet little boy will open his mouth for more, even though he doesn’t like it. What a brave little man to keep eating it!  Turns out that if you keep tasting something you don’t care for, after a while you acquire a taste for it. I think I knew that already but it took him to affirm it in person. Let's face it, when a child models good behavior, it's the best way for us parents to learn.

I’m quick to talk. Shocking, I know for the people who knew me in my former “shy” life. My little guy slowly takes things in and observes. Like a sponge, he soaks it in and lets it permeate. In a new place or situation, he is usually quiet. Then when we are all alone in the car, he talks. Oh how I long to be still and observe before jumping to conclusions, judging harshly without the full story, and speaking when I should just sit quiet! I’m a work in progress.

The list of what I have learned could go on further than I have room or time to write about. These are just a few. It’s amazing how much you can admire a wise person when they are so very young. Maybe it’s because I’m his Mother and probably a little bias. Or maybe, just maybe, this kid is on to something about how to live life. I pray that is the case and he never loses the many things I love and admire about his personality. This world is a harsh and dark place at times. May you always be a light in this world my sweet and precious boy. You will make a difference in this world, I can see it already.