Mornings

Lately I've been getting up a little earlier in the morning to spend more time with Tayshaun before we both start our day. I guess I've become a little predictable or my son just knows me well.

After taking a shower, I tickle Tayshaun awake....as per his request..."Mom, don't turn on the lights in the morning to wake me up, k, just tickle me and I'll wake up." Tayshaun likes to get up early so he has enough time to watch cartoons before we leave. Well after he gets tickled awake, he lets the dogs outside and I feed them. Then he gets dressed while I make breakfast. And then we watch cartoons and eat breakfast. We finish getting ready and then we leave.

But some mornings we just barely get out of the house to make it to preschool/work on time. So if we run into any snags, I know we're going to be late and I get a little irritated. For instance sometimes I'll get in my car and then remember that I've forgotten Tayshaun's backpack or my phone. Or sometimes Tayshaun takes forever getting into the car 'cause he's decided to bring every toy he has with him. And on those type of mornings, I feel rushed and I get cranky and I'll probably asked Tayshaun two, three, four times if he's remembered this or that..blah, blah, blah, blah.

So last week we had one of those mornings. I forgot it was trash day and didn't take the trash cans to the curb the night before. So before I pulled the trashcans from the garage, I asked Tayshaun to hurry and get himself into his car seat and buckle up. So I dragged the trashcans to the curb, ran back and jumped into the car, turned on the ignition, checked out my rearview mirror and started backing the car out of the garage. Assuming Tayshaun hadn't seat belted himself, I complained, "Tayshaun come on hurry. I'm running late. Is your seat belt tight? Are you....?"

And before I could get my next predictable inquiry out, Tayshaun replied in a calm and pacifying voice "Yes sweetie; I'm secure." And with a huge and cheerful smile, he leaned forward to show me his seatbelt was very secure.

Of course, my anxiety immediately melted away. I smiled back at him and thought "geez, I love this boy! And I love these moments when I feel him loving me back." I laughed at Tayshaun and at myself and said "Let's just be late, ok, so we can slow down and have fun while we drive you to preschool. I love you babe." His quick response was "I love you more than that!"

And then we went on with our morning and took the drive calmly and talked about this and that and enjoyed our time together before we started our hectic day.

Sometimes it just takes little things to put it all into Perceptive.