Do you remember the first time your child told you,
"I love you?"
I do.
I remember where I was and what I was doing the first time Samuel turned to me and told me those 3 little words.
It was long after most children utter those words.
Every day I told Samuel that I loved him.
It wasn't just these 3 words that failed to come from Sam's mouth, but words of any kind.......silence.
Samuel had been on schedule with words.
Mum, Mum, Mum.
Dad, Dad, Dad.
Ball, drink, hot, cold.
Then, gradually, they went away.
Occasionally, he would still say a word or two.
But.......tears, anger and frustration would often occur when our sweet little boy tried to make his needs known.
With the help of wonderful therapists and teachers.....the words started to come.
With good friends bending down and telling Samuel, "Hello," week after week....the words started to come.
Telling Samuel every day, "I love you".....the words started to come.
The day that Samuel told me, "I love you," I cried.
Sometimes I still do when he tells me.
Samuel tells me nearly every day that he loves baby Tristan very much.
It isn't all sunshine and roses however.
Along with all the words that a mother loves to hear, there are many that I don't!!
Now Samuel can express his feelings more, there is less frustration. Less meltdowns.
There are a lot of bad jokes that are hilarious to an 8-year old.
There is joy.
This has all been on my mind since Sunday.
Samuel asked a friend at church how come they were so tall.
The reply was, "Because I eat all my vegetables."
Later on that day, I heard Samuel asking someone, "Why are you short?" "Are you a little adult?"
It just struck me how wonderful it was that Samuel was instigating conversations.
It struck me just how grateful and blessed I feel.
This morning, Samuel came up to me, kissed me on the cheek, and said, "I love you."
Sunday night......Sam ate all his vegetables!!!
Sally-Ann
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