The Dance
Every once in a while, right in the middle of a terribly rotten week, just when I'm starting to get really discouraged... TLP says something so amazing that I have to stop and take a quick look just to make sure that I'm still talking to my kid. Tonight was one of those nights.
We were in the kitchen and TLP and I were sharing a bedtime snack. After we had finished eating and I was cleaning up... he approached me from behind and put his arms around me. My first thought was that I should push him away... since I have been doing my best these past few days to have "total control" over everything that he does. But something seemed different about this hug. It didn't feel like a bad hug at all. It didn't feel manipulative... or controlling, or sexual in any way. As I turned to face him, I took him in my arms and held him close. Within a matter of minutes, we were swaying back and forth... a few minutes later we were slowly dancing around the kitchen.
"We're dancing".. he said quietly.
"Yeah... don't step on my feet okay," I said as I smiled down at him."
"We need music," I said after a few more minutes of silence. "You think I should put on some music?"
"There is music," he said.
"Ummmm.... I don't hear any music," I said... trying to not to laugh.
"If you close your eyes... you can hear it," whispered the small voice.
Every once in a while... I hear something like this... and I know that he is truly special. Throughout all the hard times that we've had this week... through all my frustration... and worries... it took a small child to make me realize that if you just take a few minutes to relax... and close your eyes... no matter how stressed out you might be... you really can hear the music.
Please keep working with your children. No matter how frustrated you are, no matter how hopeless some days may seem... please don't give up until you hear the music.
