Another "Imperfectly Perfect" Moment
When we returned home from vacation last week, we were greeted by a nasty stomach flu. Lucky got it shortly after I did. I hadn't had a full night's sleep in over a week by this point and so of course, it would hit him on a night that not only did I go to bed late but the baby had woken up twice since. As soon as I seemed to doze off, I heard Lucky crying and running to my room. When I asked him what was wrong he told me his belly hurt and we went into the living room to lay on the couch. No sooner did I start to doze off for the second time, I heard his belly convulsing and before I could carry him into the bathroom he started to vomit.
This went on for more hours than I can coherently recall. After the second time, when I had started to clean it all up, he started crying and telling me he was sorry. When I asked what he was sorry for, he told me "for throwing up all over. Cause it's not your fault and you have to clean it all up." I don't think I ever hugged him so tight. I told him he never had to apologize for being sick, that it's never anyone's fault, it just happens sometimes.
All night, he clung to me and kept telling me "I love you with all my life, Mommy."
It never ceases to amaze me how many ways a child can make you fall in love with them. We talked about how I would always be there when he gets sick or needs me. I even promised to be there when he got bigger and didn't really want me there. Though, he promised he would never not want me there. (I'll have to remember to get that in writing for when that time inevitably arrives.)
As I watched him fall asleep, with his little head snuggled on my chest, I thought about how lucky I am. Knee deep in vomit and yet I was blissfully happy. Kids do that to you, you know? No matter how ugly the situation, their beautiful and innocent little hearts always present another perspective on life. We just have to choose to see it.
I've mentioned before on this blog, that I don't believe my life is perfect. But I do believe it's imperfectly perfect. Who can ask for more than that? And that night was yet another "imperfectly perfect" moment for me. It will remain in my heart as one of the most special nights of my life.
Writing this post reminded me of a campaign Hallmark began earlier this year called Life is a Special Occasion. They asked readers to complete the sentence "________ is My Special Occasion." Some of my fellow Blissfully Domestic writers video blogged their answers here. You should stop by and check it out.
So. What's your special occasion?
