I will be your co-pilot always

I will be your co-pilot always

I wrote this for Oliver the night before his first day of preschool when he was 2.5 years old. I sent a few pictures to an acquaintance to produce a few water colors of the pictures. She is an amazing artist, they far exceeded my expectations. The images you see here are the watercolors she produced.

The first time you are placed on my chest I hold my breath. This tiny little human looks up at me at the sound of my voice. Although we’ve known each other for 40 weeks this is the first time we have looked into each other’s eyes. My heart instantly grows and fills with love. The sound of my heartbeat, thump thump, thump thump, lulls you back to sleep. I whispered in your ear, “ I will cherish you always.”

Independence is set in motion by your first crawl.  Your chubby little arms and legs lift your pot belly off the floor and away yougo.  Your smile lights up the room as you crawl towards me. I open my welcoming arms and wish I could hold you on my lap forever. The smells of baby shampoo and lotion filled the air, fuzzy hair from a fresh bath. I whispered in your ear, “I will protect youalways.”

Time stops when I hear your tiny voice say “Mama” for the first time. You didn’t know the feeling that one small word would send through my body. My soul knows joy. My heart overflows with gratefulness. I whispered in your ear, “I will be your mom always.”

Our first picnic was filled with beauty and sunshine. We had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a cup of fruit. And maybe a few ants along the way. I whispered in your ear, “I will take time for you always.”

We heard the birds sing and saw the bunnies hop on our first stroller walk. You looked around in amazement at all the beauty in this world. I whispered in your ear, “I will be by your side always.”

Water dropped off your long eyelashes after the first time you jumped into the water. You swiped the water off your face and flashed a smile. I whispered in your ear, “I will catch you always.”

Orange dripped down your chubby fingers when you ate your first popsicle. The sun was shining bright. You licked your fingers until all the stickiness was gone. Such a simple thing brought so much happiness. I whispered in your ear, “I will sit with youalways.”

The first time you played in the sprinkler you weren’t thrilled. But after watching others running and laughing you knew you just had to try it again. I whispered in your ear, “I will encourage you always.”

You loved chocolate from your very first taste when you snuck away with an entire jar.  We found you covered in chocolate and happy as a clam. I whispered in your ear, “I will spoil you always.”

It was shear delight the first time you jumped into a pile of leaves. You stood up to do it again, opened your arms wide, then as if a floating leaf, you fell backwards into a soft but crunchy cushion. I whispered in your ear, “I will fly with you always.”

During your first tailgate you proudly wore black and gold and played football in the parking lot with the big boys. You loved every minute. I whispered in your ear, “I will celebrate with you always.”

The first time we made pancakes together you were the stir master. You loved helping mommy cook in the kitchen. I whispered in your ear, “I will be your sous-chef always.”

The first time you saw your new room you immediately started unpacking. Little did we know how many forts we would build, how many piles of pillows we would make, how many cars would jump from the tallest of buildings, or how many sweet nap times would be taken. I whispered in your ear, “I will play pretend with you always.”

The first time I left you with a babysitter my heart ached. You reached out for me and I reached back. We had one more snuggle and then off Daddy and I went for date night. I whispered in your ear, “I will be here always.”

The first time you got sick I slept on the floor in your room to keep a watchful eye. Every time you coughed or called out my name I was right by your side. I felt helpless, I couldn’t make you feel better but I did lay with you until you drifted off to sleep. I whispered in your ear, “I will hold you always.”

Our first hike together was filled with exploring all the rocks and bugs we saw along the way. You asked me, “what’s that,” about 100 times but it didn’t get old. Seeing the world through your eyes is refreshing.  I whispered in your ear, “I will explore with youalways.”

The first time I saw the wind blow through your blonde hair I felt God’s grace and quietly thanked him for such a blessing.  I whispered in your ear, “I will pray with you always.”

The first time I heard you laugh, really deep belly laugh my spirit soared. Children’s laughter can warm a freeze, brighten a storm, and heal a wound. I whispered in your ear, “I will laugh with you always.”

Your first toothy grin caught me by surprise. You were growing so fast I could barely keep up. I whispered in your ear, “I will be surprised by you always.”

A joyful high five immediately followed your first kick of the soccer ball. You were so proud and couldn’t wait to do it over and over and over again. I whispered in your ear, “I will play with you always.”

Your first time down a slide was met with squeals of thrill! You twisted and turned your way down and landed right at the bottom into my open arms. We hugged for just a quick moment before you were ready to do it again.  I whispered in your ear, “I will be silly with you always.”

The first time you met your baby sister you gave her a hug and said she was cute. I felt unconditional love and knew right then youwere going to be an amazing big brother. I whispered in your ear, “I will appreciate you always.”

You are ready for the next adventure. I will still be here, I will always be here, but this time you take the lead and I will watch in awe and amazement. I whispered in your ear, “I will be your co-pilot always.”