Humming
Last night I lay next to my son while he tried to fall asleep. He tucked his head under my neck, his small body touching me.
I felt my breath catch – he rarely touches me. He is nine and full of every mischievous idea. He is too old for me.
But last night he nodded when I asked if I could snuggle with him. He asked me to sing him a song. I sang a Christmas song to him, trying not to breathe near his nose. He hummed the melody. I kissed his hair and his cheeks.
He told me he likes his teacher. He asked me why his best friend was absent on Tuesday. He drew a word on my arm and I tried to guess the letters.
“Mooshoopy?” I suggested.
“No”. He giggled and carefully drew the word again.
“Grocko?”
“No!” The word game abandoned, he talked to me about Legos. He likes Legos now, he told me.
I touched his shoulders as he talked. He pulled away, saying his shoulders hurt. I rubbed his back instead, small lines tracing his spine.
After a few more minutes, the noisy sounds of his sisters filled the stairwell. He took a breath.
“They are loud.”
I agreed, then told him that I needed to put his sisters to bed.
“Kay.”
I got up, pushed back the grey and blue comforter, and walked out of the room.
He was still humming.
What a precious image and story. As one whose children are long gone–this brought delightful memories. The nine-year-old boy is so vulnerable and needy–while fiercely declaring independence. You captured it.
*sigh* Totally relating to the delicate beauty of sweet moments with a boy-child. Mine is now 4 inches taller than me, has a special friend who is a GIRL, and is saving to buy a car. Good for you for soaking it in…
what a touching story, you captured it well.
What a sweet moment – captured forever. Treasure these times. I have a 9 year old, too. I know what you mean.