Little Buddy...

So I just discovered that Sam is getting older, and I need to allow him more room to be independent. The other day I decided to take him out for a paddle, and it dawned on me - I guess I could give him a paddle - so I tied it to the boat, and he paddled a good 20 min steady.

The water was amazing, calm like glass, the seals popping up their heads feet from our little kayak curious as to the intruders in their territory - we paddled to a little island just north of our little island - and soaked up the sun on the clam beach, watching the shoots of water spray up randomly from the clams. We feasted on almonds and fruit gummies - and then went exploring over the sandstone rocks and spied on all the unique flora and wildlife. Sam lead the way. What a brilliant - confident 4 year old.

I am not quite sure why I haven't thought of them being able to do fun things with me that I like, maybe because its been so "nose to the grind" just trying to keep our heads above water in these early years, that I haven't had much time to think at all really. But this was a very pleasant discovery for me - my heart swelled with pride as I watched him grip that way to large paddle and gracefully, rhythmically carry his weight to a small degree - and really enjoy doing it.

"Sam do you like this - are you having fun?"

"So much fun mom - I really really really like this. Just you and me - "

And as I was tucking him in that night he wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me a big hug and whispered "Thanks for taking me out Kayaking Mom - I really like that."

Gratitude - thankfulness - selflessness - this is all quite new for me being we're still in the thick of the toddler years - maybe the "nose to the grind" years are starting to pay off - what ever you call it - it brought joy to my heart.

These are the moments I want to remember - I want him to remember for the rest of our lives. These are the sacred moments in between the business of life that we remember as we drift off to sleep into dreaming where its hard to differentiate between the two. These moments I am thankful for.

Gifts of holiness - glimpses of heaven. Thank you God.