Blessed

I had a beautiful morning today with Joseph, just him and me. Dh has a long standing tradition of taking the older girls (and whoever else who happens to wake up) to the "much too early for this nursing mom" Mass on Fridays. I had a rough night with the baby and never heard any of them leaving.

Probably five minutes after they left little Joseph woke and started his call to have someone get him out of bed. Little Juju can lift her leg to the height of her ear in order to get one little toe to hook over the side of her bed. She then uses that one little toe to hoist herself over the bed, it's truly amazing (if not a little nerve wracking) to watch. Joseph, try as he might, can not get his leg that high, so he stands at the end of the bed and yells.

I had to drag myself out of bed as I am *not* a morning person and I was exceptionally tired from Gabe who must be preparing for a growth spurt. I shuffled sleepily to the next room. As soon as Joseph saw me, he gave me his characteristic ear to ear grin and held out his arms. Something about his smile works magic, it gave me more energy to start this morning that seemed to come much too quickly. It didn't matter that my eyelids felt like dead weight, or that my arthritic joints were stiff, I was happy to see that little smile. When I leaned over and he jumped in my arms and wrapped his own little arms around my neck in a bear hug that only Joseph can give, I knew today was going to be a great day even if I was exhausted.

The two of us wandered downstairs. I started my coffee and put him in his chair for a banana. As soon as I said "banana" he lit up. He clapped his hands and again started his yelling. I don't know what he was saying, but he sure seemed overly excited about that banana. We then made our way outside. Again Joseph was more than a little excited about the door opening and him being allowed to roam. He points to all the cars, and the trees, and the birds, and the clouds, each time he is so joyful about the world around him.

I can't help but think that for most of his short life, he hasn't had mornings like this. His excitement at the banana (and all food for that matter) might come from those mornings where there was little or no food for him. His excitement for being out doors may be the result of being in a confined space for so long.

So many people say he is blessed or lucky. He now has ample food, plenty of toys, a yard to explore, a family that loves him. I agree he is indeed blessed. This morning, though, I was once again reminded that I am more blessed. God has given me the great gift of playing a small part in this little boy's life. I am blessed to hand him the banana, blessed to open the door for him, most of all blessed to wake up to his bear hugs.