A Thousand Kisses

 I'm linking up over at My 3 Little Birds again for Mary Lauren's MOMents. Mary Lauren is one of my favourite writers/bloggers who's pieces fill and light up the soul.  Pay a visit.  You won't be disappointed.


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We had some time to ourselves on a beautiful fall early evening.

"Just you and me baby boy." I said looking down at you as your Dad and your brother drove off down the street.

I asked if you wanted to take a walk.

You looked up at me, deep blue eyes full of sparkles.

"Uhh-huuuh.  Yaahh."  You answer in your soft lilting voice that has just recently come to fruition.

And there we went.  Down the road and around the bend.

"You want to hold Mumma's hand?" I asked as we walked side by side, my longer legs taking one step for every 4 of your own.  Your adorable jean clad sturdy legs determined to keep up.

Your answer was placing your soft little hand into mine and there we continued.

It never ceases to fill my heart with tenderness and wonderment when my children reach for my hand.

Every few steps you bend down to pick up a leaf or five trying to hold them all in your tiny toddler hands.

A rock.

A twig.

More leaves.

I smile and repeat the objects back to you...thanking you for each gift.

"A rock!  Oh thank you."

"A stick!  Thank you so much."

And then we came to a tree where an abundance of maple keys lay scattered on the ground amongst the leaves.  You pointed and babbled something that only I would understand.

In response I sat down on the slightly chilly concrete sidewalk in front of the house of a family we did not know and you stood in front of me at eye level as the familiar friendly man across the street sat on his porch, watching in amusement.

I pulled apart the seed of the key where the sticky substance lies and stuck them to the bridge of my nose.

You laughed....delighted.  Giving me more.

Then you moved onto the next item of interest.

Four stuffed scarecrows in a row in a garden along the driveway of the woman we've seen before but do not know.

The woman that scared you so when she slammed out of her house.  Who glared.  Who seems so full hostility.  For reasons unknown and of no business of ours.

I kneeled by your side, softly speaking words of comfort ... I knew only partly why she was the way she was and I was certain she didn't intend to look so angry.  These were the words I spoke to you. Everyone has a story and most will never truly know it's entirety.  You'll never remember that conversation, for that I'm sure.

But I want you to remember this.  


Everyone has a story.


And for that, try to leave judgement aside.

Then we moved on, turning the corner.

Until your little legs became too tired to walk anymore.

Your arms reached for me, your sweet baby voice declaring 'Up.'

I swung you up onto my hip and as you settled safely there, we walked the rest of the way home.

And I kissed a thousand kisses on your cheeks, pink and cool from the autumn evening air.