Soapbox

 It is funny how small treasures turn up when you least expect them. You'll be in the middle of living your life, completely absorbed in the "stuff" of daily existance when a little diamond suddenly appears out of the pile of dung you're shoveling!

Two weeks ago, I was playing in the backyard in the snow with my boys. After a fairly mild winter, we were excited to finally have an accumulation. In the midst of the winter frivolity, I fell backwards on some ice hidden under the snow. My first thought was protecting my back, but in doing so, I landed smack on the back of my head. My back was fine, but I can still hear the sickening noise of my skull on the thick ice. My oldest son chuckled, I guess because he assumed Mama was doing physical comedy! I just mumbled, "Mama got hurt and I need to get inside. Please get your brother and come in" as I stumbled across the yard into my house. My first concern was that I couldn't pass out because the children needed me. I called my sister for advice as I wasn't sure what to do. While on the phone, my husband came home, I suddenly realized I'd been badly hurt and began crying, and my sons were pretty confused by the whole thing. My oldest son, without prompting, walked into the bathroom, ran cold water on a wash cloth and just put it on my head. Now keep in mind, he is just 5. I was so taken aback that he would just take action to help without being asked!

 Anyway, I settled on the couch with a big old bag of ice on my head while my husband got instructions from my sister. My son would not leave my side. He made sure I had enough ice, carried my dinner to me, held my hand telling me it would be alright. He even went to the upstairs bathroom, filled a box with assorted lotions, bath salts, etc and brought them to me. He said he wanted to be sure I had things to help me feel better. (he also brought bug spray, fluoride and deodorant, assuming they were mama's special treats, too!) Now the absolute kicker was that out of the blue this 5 year old with the biggest blue eyes I have ever seen apologized for laughing when I fell! While I explained that he had nothing at all to apologize about because he didn't know I was hurt, I was overwhelmed that someone so young and so small could be filled with such compassion and such, for lack of a better word, Goodness (with a capital G). 

 I was so overwhelmed and grateful for my son's loving behavior. It was such a blessing when I needed it the most. Sometimes the best gifts are not what you "want", but the unexpected surprises that you really need.

all the best,

Catie

© Copyright 1999 WomanLinks.com

About the Author : Catie Hayes is founder/editor of WomanLinks.com; a community of support, spirituality, growth and empowerment for women. She is a freelance writer, the single homeschooling mom of two, and an avid fan of laughter, spontaneous dancing, cats and chocolate (not necessarily in that order).