"He's My Son"

Jace doesn’t sleep well, and this morning is no exception. It is 4 AM, and we are sitting on the couch together. He just ate a full bowl of oatmeal, a thick piece of sliced cheese, and a bowl of Ramen noodles (Believe me, I try to talk him out of them). He is playing his new Lego Star Wars game on the Wii, but he needs me, “To hold his legs.” I just checked my email, and a friend recommended a song for me to find. It only took seconds before I had it downloaded and my tears were freely flowing. It is called “He’s My Son” by Michael Shultz. It’s a good one, but I’m thinking I should issue a warning. Parents beware. If you don’t have tissue, I would wait until you do-- Especially if your child has ever had to endure anything difficult. Is that a given when you are a parent?

Most of Jace’s days for the last week have been spent on the couch. Yesterday in an attempt to get his legs working, I asked him to carry his laundry to his room upstairs. He agreed, stood, and put his arms out to gather the pile of clothes I held. After three or four steps up, his arms were tired, and he begged me to take the pile back. Then he sat down on the step and didn’t have the energy to rise. It is difficult to watch him feel so crumby. Hayden was two steps ahead of him and watched Jace give out. He put his own pile down and came back for his brother. Although Hayden offered to carry Jace up, Jace was determined to “make it” by himself.

We are going to try to go to the Pay it Forward Fun Run sponsoring Jace today, but we are unsure of how he will feel. Our lives and activity are decided hour by hour. This morning as he tucks my hair behind my ear over and over, I am grateful for this hour I am spending with “My Son.”