This touching post by Clare made me reflect on how much I enjoy being a mother.
I was blessed to have seven years at home with Big Boy and Small Man when they were little, and it was without doubt the best time of my life. Our days were filled with adventures – exploring, crafting, learning.
From the time Small Man was born, he and Big Boy have been close. There are a few years between them, and Small Man was very sick as a baby with stage 4 cancer, but that hasn’t stopped the two of them forging an incredibly tight bond. Big Boy is patient and protective; loving but tough – and Small Man looks up to his brother above everyone else.
I know this is hard to believe, but our sons have never had a fight. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of times they’ve conversed in raised voices.
The photo above was taken on Small Man’s 7th birthday – he was unwell and feverish on the day of his party (as you can see by the flushed cheeks), and the only person who could make him smile on the day was his big brother.
Not surprisingly, both our sons are very like their father; Big Boy particularly so. And having spent nearly thirty years with the greatest man I’ve ever known, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that his sons would love and admire him so much. He has provided both boys with an amazing role model – one that they’ve sought to emulate as closely as possible.
Once, when Big Boy was only a toddler, he and I enjoyed the most glorious day – snuggled up and sleeping in late, followed by a day out playing in the park, shopping and drinking babychinos at a cafe by the water. Pete had left for work before either of us had crawled out of bed, and didn’t come home until nearly 7pm. That night, he said to me, “Babe, I want you to know how much I appreciate everything you do for our family. You keep our little man so happy. We couldn’t manage without you.”
I’d spent the most fabulous day playing with our son, while my husband had been at work for nearly 12 hours, and instead of resenting the inequality of it all, he was thanking me for being a stay-at-home mum. Is it any wonder that a man of such grace and generosity is so deeply loved by his family?
Our sons are both big now – Big Boy is an adult and currently at university, and Small Man is in the latter part of high school. They both tower over Pete and I, and have their own range of diverse interests and friends. Yet our oldest son will still make me a cup of tea and sit for a while to chat about life and the universe, and Small Man will happily try to help me with crossword clues that require a more scientific mind than mine.
To all my friends with young children – cherish these special years.
They’re a gift from God.
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 