annie and i were talking a few weeks ago about a phrase parents often use as a curse on their children: "i hope you have one just like you." our recent experience teaches us that the curse works; both annie and i did exactly the things we were not supposed to when we were younger. in fact, there are reports of me standing right next to the television, making sure everybody was looking as i touched the forbidden appliance, but i am sure these reports are exaggerated.
as we talked, annie told me about a story she had read in a book from MOPS about a mom who used this same phrase to speak a blessing over her children: "i hope you have one just like you." instead of teaching her children to focus on the things that annoyed her, this wise and brilliant mother chose to help them see the ways in which they brought life and joy to those around them. it was a tremendous paradigm shift for me, b/c although there are certain things that drive me a little bit nuts about isaac, there are also so many things that bless me and many others.
he typically smiles at anybody who will look at him, even though they don't always smile back.
when we have breakfast at bruegger's he sits and tries to make eye contact with everybody who comes out the door.
he waves at random cars on the street.
lately when i come home he has lit up and crawled straight towards me, laying his head on my shoulder after i pick him up.
he laughs at himself, and at the stupid things we do to entertain him.
he has the personality to help people feel welcomed, included, and loved. and i hope he has one just like him.
2 comments:
The stories are not exaggerated, and I am a lucky grandma that you had one so much like you.
The stories are not exaggerated, and I am a lucky grandma that you had one so much like you.
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