Yesterday, I got a special invitation.
Since the end of school my little guy and I have been doing Daily Summer Fun–one chosen fun thing a day to feel the joy of summer. It’s been pure childhood fabulousness, together and with his friends, of swimming, parks, pickleball, you name it.
But yesterday, when a few of his usual friends were busy and before I texted others, he said unusually seriously, “Mom, can it just be you and me?”
Those few words, in my mind, are the highest honor a parent can receive.
To be personally and specifically invited into the world of a child; to have that child know you are a typical, sometimes embarrassing, and always trying to “parent” him kind of mom and STILL want to hang with you, THAT is the BEST.
So we went swimming.
For sure, we have done that several times with him and his buddies already (even this past week!) but this time it was different.
This time I PLAYED. I played in the water. I chased him through the lazy river. I went down the slides. I even went off the diving board–a few times–and may have done a cheerleading herky jump #blessedlynovideofootage
I let him teach me how to dive, tucking my thumbs just like he learned in swim lessons all week. I listened to him constantly chatter about whatever came to mind and then I did the things he invited me to try. And after two-and-a-half hours of SOLID swimming let me just say it was more fun and hands down better than any cardio class I’ve taken.
We came home thoroughly tired, tanned, and ready to chill and sat scrunched up next to each other watching Matchbox car races on the iPad.
It made me think of the conference talk I had read this week from Gary E. Stevenson about the bunny study and why one group of them thrived.
“She did more than simply give the rabbits food. She gave them love.”
Before anyone starts down an unnecessary guilt path, sometimes kids just want the snacks and to go hang with their friends. That is still love! And like most moms . . .
And like most moms, playing with my kids isn’t new. He is my seventh and I’m at the tail end of 27 years of playing Legos on the floor, basketball in the driveway, and jumping on the tramp. I’ve done the hand-on mom things for many, many, many hours. #justonemoregameofcandyland
AND I candidly and joyfully remember the day after all those hours and years that I could be THAT mom who got to sit down for two minutes on the poolside chair and actually read a book while they happily played with friends.
But yesterday was a moment.
It was a special invitation that I could feel really mattered. And that it was just for us. I can’t express how grateful I am that I didn’t miss it. Because there are times I have. I’m so grateful that when he looked at me and asked, I got it. That I saw it, I felt it, and I said yes.
When have you received a special invitation?
How did it feel to experience that with your child?
Want to read the full talk by Gary E. Stevenson? Here’s the link: Hearts Knit Together
