I just spent a whole evening at a friend’s house, during which time I actually got to spend time with my friend. This is rather new for me. For the past two years, I have spent every social occasion I can think of with Christian in my arms, or on the floor with him and the other kids. Recently this has started to change. The stronger Christian gets, and the more time he spends away from me, the more I realize just how much time we have spent together.
Tonight I got to drink wine, tell stories, and feel like a grown-up. Christian didn’t even cry until it was time to leave. I think he only fell over twice, and both times he went right back to playing, the moment I sat him back up. At one point the other kids came running into the kitchen, laughing hysterically. They told us that Christian had put Mr. Incredible in time-out because he was being silly. And then he told them that he was serious, which they all thought was the funniest thing they had ever heard. I peeked to see if he was okay, and there he was, in an ocean of pillows, not even leaning back on one for support. He was sitting tall, with a huge smile on his face, and apparently being the life of the party.
And so I went back to my stool, and chatted some more. I will admit that not spending every second with my son isn’t coming entirely naturally. I find myself just waiting to be interrupted by a call for help, that usually means the end of social time. But there weren't any calls for help tonight. I got a real visit, while my kids played happily in the next room. I forgot that I can have fun on my own, and be more than Christian's means of being upright. Lately, I have been so focused on how amazing Christian’s new independence is for him, that I hadn’t focused on what it means for me. And it means a great deal. The future is looking pretty beautiful, for both of us.
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