It was one of those days, with all the details and “have to’s” coming down on my head. Too much demanding my attention, too many things vying to converge on the same space-time continuum, too many worries and nothing I could ignore, put off or say no to. And it all required a lot of concentration. I stare at figures and paperwork and bills, trying to apply a sense of logic and peace to it all.
My son runs into the kitchen (my office). His enthusiasm about a funny incident at school gushes over me. Then he notices I’m already sitting there in tears.
“Mommy, what’s wrong?”
“I’m sorry honey, things are not so great right at this moment and I have a lot to figure out.” Caught off guard, I’m not very good at choking back tears.
“Well, but things are going to be so much better now that you are here,” he tells me.
I smile. “I love you very much son. That was sweet. Thank you.” There are times he’s amazingly sweet and his belief in me catches me off guard. Changing subjects and pulling myself together though I add, “But I do need you to do your homework.”
“No…” he declares. “First I’m going to come over and hug you right now!” He loom tackles me in my chair.
Sigh….. It’s one of those sighs where I love his hugs, wish I wasn’t so stressed and am trying to refocus so I can do what I need to do. My son never hugs lightly. It’s always a tackle and a bear squeeze. And in effort to comfort me he hangs on a little longer.
I hold on to the moment just a bit and then pat his arm. “I wish I could just live on hugs dear. But there are just so many things coming down on me right now and I need to think.” He lets go.
“So…” he says lightly, “just use an umbrella.”
I know I am here to teach my kids and guide them in life, but so often it is they who teach me. I stare at my son as he walks away, his words striking a tone.
And I realize he’s right. It’s so simple. Just use an umbrella. And there’s always time for hugs.
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