Just as I was drifting off to sleep this evening, Sydney shook me awake with panic in her voice. "Mom, I cut my foot open." Nothing in this world will clear your mind more quickly than one of your children in pain or in need.
Taking her downstairs, I covered her shaking body with a blanket while I got a wet cloth to clean her foot. Wiping away the blood, I soon realized that it was more of a tear than a cut. It wasn't too deep, but it was definitely going to affect her soccer playing. Gathering more supplies, I cleaned it and wrapped it while cracking a few jokes and assuring her that she would be all right. Not long after, she was ready to head to bed. But first she rewarded me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
Climbing back into my own bed, I smiled at Ryan who (bless his heart) never once awakened to the drama of the night. I thought back to all the other nights when he slept while a sick child woke me up. Like mothers everywhere, I've dragged myself out of bed to hold hair back while a child threw up. I've curled a feverish little body into mine trying to provide comfort. I've replaced ice packs, administered medicine and worried about concussions through the dark hours of the night.
The miracle, I realized tonight, is that medically, I have no idea what I am doing. Yet, through the divine wisdom of my Heavenly Father I (along with mothers everywhere) know how to nurture. We know how to serve and we know how to love.
And let's be honest. I'm happy to work for hugs from a teenager....
5 comments:
It is an amazing thing. It reminds me of when my kids were babies and getting up all hours of the night. One time I remember Quinn saying.... "Oh Levi was only up once during the night." I said.... "Try FOUR times!" Anyway I too am grateful to be able to "mother" my kids. I also love how different he made both a Dad and Mom.
Funny how husbands are so clueless! When I get called in to work and come home he has no idea I have even been gone. Sleeps like a baby.
Even if you don't know medically I think maternally is better! I could feel your love just describing the whole thing as I am sure syd did with her hug and kiss!
Nothing is better than kids! Hope her soccer isn't affected!
It is an amazing gift we have. How lucky we are!
I know what you mean about being grateful for the chance to love on your teenagers! :)
And I totally agree that as mothers we are so blessed to have that desire to comfort and nurture. Lily recently got hurt pretty badly and I wasn't there. It broke my heart not to be the one to comfort her. So in a way I am glad Cord sleeps through sometimes so I can have the chance to do it myself. (I'll post a pic of Lily on my blog later - she was a mess)
I remember my Senior year in High School. 18 years old. Thought I was all that and a bag of Oreos. Blew out my hamstring at a Wednesday afternoon track meet in Snowflake. When I got home Mom was out running errands or something. Knowing that the injury meant I was probably done with sports for the year (and the rest of my life) I remember with very distinct clarity how this big, tough 18 year old just wanted his Momma to comfort him at that moment.
-Colby
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