My little man

I had to sit down last night and make a list of things that make Luke special. It's for his new teacher. I could barely sum it all up on one piece of paper. I know that all mothers feel this way about their children. I even think that I go a little overboard when I brag about him. As much as I don't want to be "that mother" who acts all crazy about her child, I do want to tell you a few things about him that I think, make him so very special.
He is polite. He says please and thank you, wipes his own runny nose and covers his mouth when he coughs. He loves to "read" to himself. He will sit in his rocking chair with his books, turn the pages and mumble the words to himself. He has even managed to memorize a couple books and can tell me what is coming next before he even turns the page. He plays ball with Brian every day. He can't catch yet, but loves to watch Brian throw the ball straight up into the air, as high as he can. He mimics Brian's movements and pretends that he is the one throwing it, stretching his arms high over his head and jumping up on his tip-toes. He loves music. He has a drum an keeps a pretty steady beat already. He is a dancing machine too!! Like most children, Luke loves to run around naked. When he gets out of the tub, he escapes and runs through the house, pointing to his chest and yelling, "NAKED". He gives the best hugs and kisses too.
I could go on and on and on about all the things that make him so very special, but I will stop myself. I will just note that, during the last few months, I have needed Luke as much as he has needed me. When Brian was gone into his isolation, Luke would lay in the bed with me sometimes and take his naps. He was so warm and cuddly. I needed him to remind me that things were going to be okay. I needed the distraction that he was to me. And the reunion that he and Brian had after it was over is an image that will be burned into my head forever. He was so excited to see his daddy that he fell off the couch, trying to get to him as fast as he could. He has his tantrums and meltdowns, hits and throws things when he gets upset, sneaks his pacifier into his mouth when I am not looking, and can just be downright rotten. I am not foolish enough to think that he is perfect, but he is my beautiful mess.
In the morning I will get up and get us both ready for his first day of school. I will have to take him to that place and drop him off and spend the day praying that he is having the time of his life, but not so much fun that he doesn't want to come see his mommy. I am sure that it will be harder for me than it will for him. It's going to be strange to not spend my entire day with him. I am very proud of the child that he already is and know that he will continue to make me proud in his new surroundings. He is my biggest blessing, my gift from God that makes everything in this world seem all better!