Trucks & Trains

Hayden and I just returned from the grocery store. We put away groceries, had a snack, and started a load of laundry. Throughout it all, he was underfoot...nothing new. My little shadow followed me from room to room. As he sat down to play in his room, I ventured back through the house, avoiding trucks, trains, and books. Somedays I merely pick up toys all.day.long. He's learning to keep things in specific locations but if you have children, you know how easily things disappear.

Anyway, my point is this: I grow so easily frustrated some days (especially those nights when I go in to check on him and step on an ambulance that starts wailing and nearly wakes him) about toys being everywhere. But I stopped for a moment in the midst of my bedroom, looked at two trucks I had just sidestepped, and nearly wept. Why? Because tonight we're having a friend for supper who would love nothing more than to fill a house with children. Due to complications, she and her husband have not been able to do so. It's not my place to divulge her personal history, but I have seen how she longs to hold a baby--her baby. She's fantastic with Hayden, and I'm sure she'd adore having trucks, trains, books, and all sorts of toys strewn across her home. So while I'm complaining, a dear friend would love to be in my place. Just the thought was enough to give me pause.

We had a family reunion this weekend, and multiple relatives asked me, after hearing Hayden say nonstop, "Momma, Momma, Momma...", if I ever tired of that. My reply was simple--"I once did, but then I realized one day I won't be cool enough for him, so I don't let myself tire of hearing my name now." Plain and simple.