My feet hit the floor at almost the exact moment that I hear his anguished cry. I know it’s likely just a fleeting bad dream, but even before I’m fully conscious, I know I want to be there.
He’s standing—my beautiful four-year-old—next to his bed, blankie in hand. Bewildered, and with a few stray tears on his face. I point him back to the bed and climb in beside him, wrapping us both in the quilt I chose for him when he was still a baby.
His little body shudders from time to time, while I stroke his blond hair and whisper—
“It’s okay. I’m here.”
* “Stories Make Life Shine” is a series of brief personal essays in which I get to take a break from playing commentator and try my hand at playing writer. For one entry, I write in present tense and try to capture the scene. The point is to keep it short and not labor over it to the point of losing your love for it. I hope some of the themes I write about resonate with you, and I hope that you’ll be inspired to write your own life vignettes from time to time. As always, thank you for reading!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
You are a beautiful writer. What a blessing.
Ashley Ditto recently posted..Measuring My 4 Walls
Oh, I can relate to this picture. And doesn’t your heart just leap out of your chest when you hear those midnight cries? Keep writing, my friend.
Becky Kopitzke recently posted..When Left to Their Own Devices
So sweet, and that photo is beautiful.
Thanks, Erin! It’s impossible to resist snapping a picture of a kid sleeping on your lap!
Erica {let why lead} recently posted..Instagram Wall Hanging