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November 13, 2005
Mother and Son
While cooling down after my morning run on Saturday I passed a mother and her young son fishing off the small dock where I sometimes stop to stretch and contemplate the world.
It warmed my heart to see the mother giving her son such undivided attention.
As I was stretching, I overheard the two speaking:
“Daddy is going to be so proud to hear that you caught a fish,” said the mother, gently rubbing her son's back.
“Will he come fishing with me when he gets back?”
“Yes.”
“When is he coming home?”
“I’m not sure, honey.”
“Will he be here for Christmas?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why?”
“Well, he has to protect the people in Iraq.”
“Oh.”
“Have you thought about what you want from Santa?”
“Yeah.”
“If you could have any gift in the world this Christmas, what would it be?”
“Daddy,” said the boy quietly, as he tightened the line on his fishing pole.
Even from where I was stretching I could see the tears welling up in the mother's eyes. I can't shake the image of absolute anguish reflected on her face as she closed her eyes and hugged her son.
How I wish I could have run up and held them both in my arms.
How I wish I could have taken the awful pain away from the boys mother.
That was their special time though and I did not want to impose.
As I walked away, the mother looked up and we made eye contact for a second. In that moment I hugged her with my soul.
She smiled. Her eyes seemed to say thank you for respecting us and not intruding. And thank you for your concern.
My heart aches for the little boy. I hope that by some miracle his dad is able to come home this Christmas.
How I wish I could put his dad in a big box, wrap it up in bright paper and deliver the ultimate gift to the boy's home on December the 25th. I can just imagine how happy the boy would be to see his father jumping out of the box to surprise him.
Posted by trevor at November 13, 2005 10:48 AM
Comments
You're always reminding me what's really important Trevor. Thank you.
Posted by: Alex at November 13, 2005 01:05 PM
i just love the thought of a 'hug from your soul' i must do this when a real hug isn't possible
thank you again trevor - you always make me stop and think
Posted by: ~Kathryn~ at November 16, 2005 05:46 AM