Category Archives: motherhood

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Moody

Sitting with my 8 year old disabled son on my lap as I listen to the solo performance of Breath of Heaven, I feel the tears fighting their way to the surface. I hold my son because the seizures seem to avoid him if he feels comfort from an embrace of love. The soloist’s voice carries my tears closer to the surface as I identify with the pain, struggle and loneliness of being a caregiver. I adjusted his shirt, his position, searching to slow my breath and keep the tears back.

As she sang, “I have traveled many moonless nights with a babe inside, and I wonder what I’ve done.” The truth broke through my wall of protection.”You’ve chosen me now, to carry (my son). Iam waiting, in a silent prayer, I am frightened by the load I bear. In a world as cold as stone. Must I walk this path alone? Be with me now. Be with me now.Breath of heaven hold me together.Be forever near me….” My tears rushed and broke my walls. I struggled to keep them under control.The words from the soloist’s song were so true. My role in caring for my son gives me the knowledge to know the nativity story at the most personal level.

I sat in the third row, clearly seen by the pastor, yet trying to hide my tears. The journey is so long, ardorous and without rest. My son’s full rehabilitation still not within sight. “Breath of heaven, lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness. Breath of heaven”.

I continued to listen to the words and know them as my own; “Do you wonder as you watch my face, if a wiser one should have had my place? But I offer all I am for the mercy of your plan. Help me be strong, help me be, help me.” I couldn’t slow the tears because it was all true. The pain, the wonder of my angel’s miracle is real too. He’s almost walking by himself. He wr

My middle son turned to me, seeing the tears and asked me what was wrong. I replied, “I have a headache.” He hugged me. My mood lifted. The soloist sang, “Breath of heaven, hold me together, be forever near me, breath of heaven”. My encouragement taken from the words of a song and my son’s embrace, I stopped the tears.

Not knowing a fellow parishener was watching, she came over to say, “You’re  the best mother, I’ve ever seen. You care for him so well.”

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Restoration

While reading a familiar passage, I was reminded of how we seek to make things new:

I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain     Christ. -Phillipians 3:8

It hit me in a new way. My Angel is being restored, but not because I insist it to happen, though it is the greatest desire of my heart, but because my prayerful plea was answered two and a half years ago. Restoration has many levels of meaning and can be used symbolically for spiritual as well as concrete purposes. This restoration doesn’t mean that the same will come again. When we restore a place or thing, the original state or existence is not there, except in a resemblance of what it was. He is not the same. He is changed. Yet, glimpses of who he was shine and delight everyone. Nothing and no one is left untouched. My Angel restores gladness and joy with everlasting affects, just as he is being restored through our loving care.

Christians believe in the correlation of Christ, who renews us through His loss of life and resurrection. Even He was restored! How wonderful to see the spiritual meet concrete. With this reflection, I feel better about working tirelessly, watching him through the nights, knowing tomorrow brings more restoration.

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My Little Man

Papito Papito,

Laying so still, I miss hearing you laugh, spit, sing. I miss hearing you play your harmonica while your brothers share a tune. Your spirit your drive; your zest for life. It fills me each, everyday. Remember how you would sit on your belly in the living room, watching the trains go around and around. You watched so closely, your eyes level with the tracks. When your brothers trumpet and fiddle, you love your harmonica and wistfully move while playing. Your delight is in one’s laughter. Your pleasure in one’s company. You see beauty in everyone, nature, life.  Your excitement when you see a car, a bus.

Every morning we sing, “It’ll be coming round the mountain when it comes, It’ll be coming round the mountain when it comes…” Then we cup our hands to our ears, listening for your school bus to arrive. Every day you see it turn the corner, your eyes rise wide with surprise, shouting, “BUS!” As if our singing is making it happen. As we cross to board your favorite ride, you stop and put your hand upon the safety lights at the steps of the bus entrance, transfixed, unable to move. Distracted you climb the steps, turning to blow kisses then move toward your seat at the window.

Almost gone, that tragic Monday, your zest and vigor for freedom to run, turned to tragedy as a mother’s worst fear unfolded with a pop and your body motionless on the road. I pleaded your return and heaven answered me. God provided all the right people at the right place at the exact moment so that you may return to fulfill a higher calling.