“Good night, Mama. Merry Christmas!” Should I tell him Christmas has officially been over for a week now? Yet it’s so sweet to hear him wish me a Merry Christmas every night before he goes to bed.
It’s actually the first time he’s put those two words together. So I was thrilled to hear him say it. Besides, he said it with so much conviction, tenderness and joy. Like he’s proud of himself for finally accomplishing the goal he’s been working on for years.
Here’s the strange part, he only says it to me. As if it’s so delicate that it will melt and disappear like snowflakes if he says it to anyone else.
I got to say, it’s little moments like this that fill my heart with joy and it has nothing to do with the fact he singled me out. Instead, it’s more the way he says it. Something about the way he utters those words seems to bypass my ears altogether and go directly to my heart. I’m not entirely sure why. Perhaps if I take some time and probe the matter more deeply, I could come up with an answer. Or maybe not. Who knows? When it comes to my son certain things will always remain a mystery. It’s part and parcel of raising someone with an intellectual disability.
And so even if I have absolutely no idea why he’s continuing to wish me a ‘Merry Christmas’, I’m loving it! It fills my heart and that’s a great way to start the new year.
I hope all of you are having a good start to your new year as well. Praying for a year filled with many more precious moments, laughter and above all hope to overcome whatever challenges 2023 may bring.