The one who calls me "Ma"

My dear Silas will turn 8 soon. As every mother does, I wonder where the time has gone. Silas is growing up fast. Too fast. Each of my children has special gifts that stir my heart, but Silas is, perhaps, the most like me. Sometimes, I am so so proud. And other times I am very disturbed, knowing so many of his characteristics come from his mama.

Silas has a temper. Recently, after an "episode", I sent him on a walk around the block. He must have walked around the block several times because when he finally came home, I was getting a bit worried. He came through the door with his big, blue eyes filled with repentent tears. "Would you mind if I call you Ma?" he asked.

I answered, "No, that would be fine. What is it that makes you want to call me Ma?"

He went on to explain to me that all the kids in Little House on the Prairie (the only show we watch during the week) call their parents "Ma" and "Pa" and they are all "just so good." He thought if he called us Ma and Pa that perhaps it would remind him to be good. And, so, ever since then, Jeff and I have been "Ma" and "Pa." When we ask Silas to do something, his response is usually, "Yes, Ma" or "Yes, Pa."

Silas has a gift with people. We have been amazed at his ability to meet new friends and, especially, his heart for those so unlike himself. There is a boy with Down's Syndrome at Silas's school whom he was determined to be friends with. Silas recently asked us if we could have a Down's baby because, "That boy is the sweetest boy I've ever known."

Just today, he told me his best friend, Cheetie, and him were "kindred spirits." Cheetie is from Nigeria and his mother told  me that Silas is Cheetie's first friend ever. When we told the boys we were moving to Denver, Silas started crying and said, "Mom, what is Cheetie going to do without me? I will have to make some of my other friends pinkie swear that they will look out for Cheetie when I'm gone."

Jeff and I have commented often about how Silas seems to be very Spirit-led. When he prays, it is from his heart and it is always applicable to current circumstances. When he loves, it is whole heartedly. When he is angry, watch out! (But, we're working on that.)

My heart overflows with love for my children who, for now, the Lord has entrusted me with. Happy birthday, my sweet Silas. You make your Ma and Pa proud.

Three Kinds of Friends

So, I had written this post a couple of days ago regarding brokenness. And I said how I was praying for it and all that. And, part of me is. But, I think part of me is not ready to go there. Part of the post talked about the honesty of brokenness and I wasn't sure I was being honest about the brokenness I talked about. Thank you to those who commented on it. I may re-post it in the future when I know I can be completely honest about it.

In ALL honesty, this is what I've realized the last few days. I have three kinds of friends.

-There are the friends that when you're talking on the phone to them you would never even think about going to the bathroom because it just wouldn't seem right.

-There are the kinds of friends that you'd go to the bathroom while you're talking to them on the phone, but you wouldn't tell them- unless they asked what that noise was in the background.

-But, THEN.....THEN.....there are the friends who when you are talking on the phone to them you can just say, "I'm totally pee-ing, by the way." And they just say, "Oh- well.....anyways....as I was saying...." And it doesn't phase them one bit.

I am appreciating more and more the third kind of friend.