slow down mom

Hello, mom? Do you see me? Me? Elijah, your four year old?

I know I’m busy. I know it. I know last night at church I ran outside and found the swingset and that I forgot to tell you that I ran out the door. I know. But, mom, I didn’t do it to annoy you, bother you, and in fact, I didn’t even do it to be disobedient.

I just wanted to be big.

You see, all the older kids went outside and played and ran and I just wanted to be out there with them. Plus, it was rainy most of the day and I wanted so bad to play on that swingset. Ours is old and we don’t have a slide and this swingset had all of that cool stuff.

Sometimes mom, I just need you to slow down. I want to be big, and I’m growing and some day I’ll be able to run outside with those old kids and you’ll be okay with it. Because I’ll be old enough then. I keep working and climbing and growing. But, mom, if you don’t slow down a bit you might miss it. I don’t want you to say things like if only I had slowed down or why did I let the unimportant become the important when I’m big.

I know you’re busy, mom. Well, I kind of know it – you tell me it. You know, the in a minute, Elijahs and the not right nows and laters and such. But, sometimes, mom, those times just don’t come. I still love you. Don’t worry about that, mom. I just wish that me, Elijah, didn’t have to always wait for those minutes.

I like to spend time with you. I want to play and read books and run and do slap-jack games. And, it’s okay that you don’t slap right away and let me slap first. I like that about you, mom. I do.

You’re really important to me. You make me meals and clean up all my messes {and sometimes you don’t complain even} and wash my clothes and work really hard for me. I know that when I get bigger that I’ll know how much you did for me. I’m just little still. So I don’t know it all yet.

But, you do a good job. I’m just busy and forget to tell you. You slow down a bit and I’ll tell you more. You’ll be able to listen because you’ll be less busy. See sometimes you’re so busy that you don’t get all the hugs that I want to give you. Or you don’t hear my stories – remember Elijah’s Book of Stories? – well, I’ve got so much to tell you, but I really need you to listen. Not be so distracted.

I know you write to other moms sometimes, and that’s good. Moms work hard. Make sure to write about how I don’t like you on your phone or the computer all the time. Sometime is okay, it’s good. Just not all the time. I want you to be here for me, okay? So, remember that means slowing down just a bit.

I love you mom. You’re my mom. Exactly the mom that is perfect for me. All my friends moms? They’re perfect for them – totally perfect. Just like you are for me. You are the perfect mom and you don’t have to worry about having everything perfect.

{By the way, I love that you named me Elijah, and that you think about my name and even joke that my precociousness is because I was named after the Elijah in the Bible who prayed down fire. I’m full of fire and joy and zest for life. You do a good job remembering that. Most days – although do I see you make an extra cup of of coffee on those other days.}

I try to be good and do the right choices. I try really really hard. Just like you mom. Just like all those other amazing moms out there. I think that’s it, mom, it’s the trying. You tell me that – try hard to make the right choices and pretty soon making the right choices will be a habit. Don’t stop trying. Even if you have a challenging day with me. Just keep trying. Seeing me. Slowing down a bit. Loving me.

‘Cause I love you. Mega.

What would your kids tell you to do? Slow down? Listen? Laugh?

*****

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