Excerpt from my journal this past week:
Two mornings ago, I found the boys in their room -- Andrew in the windowsill, looking down at the stream, and Elijah lying on his back on the floor with some little trucks -- singing Silent Night.
Last night, Elijah came to me on the couch before bed, put his arm around me and laid his head on my shoulder.
Today I was explaining to Andrew (after a rather rough patch) that when he was disobedient it made me sad. His face crumpled into a pout. Tears started rolling down his face, and he said "Mommy, my face is very sad", then collapsed into wails.
Tonight, Elijah talked and sang himself to sleep. Overheard: discussions with himself about the movie "Cars", sung portions of the Veggie Tales Theme Song and Silent Night.
These are moments, snapshots in my life which will never repeat. I'm beginning to understand the difference between "living through" a life stage/situation and living fully in it. The choice is mine.