That would be me.
A holding hands kind of gal.
In fact, my life is a holding hands type of life. I’ve learned about the importance of family and friends and faith. And those truths go hand in hand (get it) with holding hands. Sharing your heart with others, and being willing to give your heart, your time, your attention, your love to those dear to you. It’s connecting — in good, bad, happy, joyful, sorrow, fear, and “I just need you” times.
Like last night.
My awesome (and very sweet) five year old Caleb woke in the middle of the night with a bad dream. He cried for me, and I came immediately. After using the bathroom (which is what really woke him) he told me he had a bad dream. Then in the next breath he said –
I need you to say some prayers for me, momma.
I brought him back to his room and said those prayers with him. But I didn’t leave. My tired body wanted to slip back into my warm bed and try to find some elusive sleep before Samuel woke. But my momma’s heart knew I was to stay there. With him.
So I pushed away bits of Legos, and Playmobil, and army men, and books. As I was quietly dropping them into boxes — unsorted — my little Caleb told me he was sorry for the mess. I didn’t care. I grabbed a Thomas the Train blanket and a Spiderman pillow and laid on the floor next to his bed.
Momma, will you hold my hand, please?
As I grasped his hand — which still fits inside mine — he started telling me how much he loved our family. He thought of everyone’s names and then even added his good friend whose name happens to be Caleb. His hand was sweaty and he’d squeeze mine. After a bit I could feel his body relaxing. Calming down.
Momma thanks for holding my hand.
Words worth the hard floor, the lego guy under my back that I missed, the aching arm, and no sleep. We’re just a holding hands kind of family. I’ve seen it.
I stayed there half-asleep and half-awake until I heard little Samuel’s cries. As I stood to leave, I gently pulled my hand from Calebs and started walking out of the room tiptoing over all the lincoln logs and books that I shoved to the side. Quietly I moved away.
Momma I love you.
Makes holding hands in the middle of the night so worth it.
13 comments
you are awesome… beautiful… made me teary …salute to you for stretching yourself … your children are lucky!!! take care
What a tender moment…I have tears. What a sweet time with your sweet Caleb. Reaching to God and reaching for you…he’s in a great place.
That is beautiful. I am a holding hands kind of girl too. I love to hold hands with my husband and feel his strength and comfort. I love to hold hands with my kids and give them my strength and comfort. And I love feeling God holding me with His wonderful strength, comfort and love.
These are the things that stay with our children (and with us) for a lifetime.
So sweet, Rachel — we mamas will never regret moments like that with these little ones we’ve been blessed with!!
A couple weeks ago we all had a round of the 24 flu bug, and while my 3 year old boy was leaning over the toilet to throw up (again) he groaned “Pray for me”. It made all the clean up worth it. 🙂
Sooo sweet! It is a treasure to enjoy the moments God sets in our path. Even the middle of the night ones.
hugs~Cinnamon
There isn’t an emoticon for the face I am making, but my heart is smiling :).
Oh, my goodness, I’m wiping tears from eyes! What a precious happening! Sending blessings your way!
Oh Rachel, this is what life as a mom is all about. These tender moments that could all too soon slip away. You are an amazing mother!
What tender twilight moments. I think God somehow gives Mama’s His supernatural strength to care for our children-His children- even when it feels like there’s nothing left and it’s in the middle of the night! : ) And, in life, as we hold hands with dear ones through all seasons, I’m reminded that it takes two- life can’t be lived alone. We need the fellowship of others! I’m thankful for your friendship!
Precious story.
Continuing to pray!
Psalms 34:17-19 The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
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thanks for sharing!