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Topic: Whispers (01/26/04)
TITLE: Whispers of Love By Donna Haug 01/30/04 |
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By: Donna Haug
January 30, 2004
“Jonnie, come here so I can put your PJ’s on.”
I sat in his bedroom waiting for my Tigger-like two-year old to bounce over my way. And, I waited some more. All I heard were squeals of laughter coming from the living room as Jonnie played his usual rough and tumble games with his older sister. Drumming my fingers on his bed I sighed in frustration as weariness swept over me. It had been a long day. Dealing with the frustrations of living on a farm far from town in the interior of Brazil didn’t faze my children at all. Everything was a great adventure. The baby frogs in the bathroom were a hunting game for them. The dirty water coming out of the tap looked like chocolate milk to my little guy’s eyes! But I was tired. Constant rains for the last few days had kept the kids locked up indoors and my nerves were shot!
“Jonathan!”
Again, I heard nothing but the sounds of rambunctious and hilarious play. Impatience welled up inside of me like a volcano. Oh, why couldn’t he just listen to me when I called him??
“Jonathan Mark Haug! Come to the bedroom this minute!”
From the living room I hear the pitter-patter of bare feet on the tiles and a little voice saying, “I don’t want spankings! I don’t want spankings!”
Fighting the twitch of a smile trembling at the corner of my mouth, I tried to remain firm with him as I quickly pulled off his play shorts and tee shirt and pulled on his pajamas. Jonnie laid his hands on my shoulders as I pulled up his pants. His slobbery mouth leaned close to my ear and with almost unintelligible loud breathing, he whispered, “I … Love … You!!!” What a heart breaker! My irritation melted away in an instant as I pulled him into my arms.
“I love you too, Jonnie, and I’m glad you’re mine!”
That precious moment happened almost nine years ago now. Every now and again, when I go into Jonathan’s room to check on him and his little brother before I go to bed, I look at them and my heart is overwhelmed with love. Again I realize how quickly my little babies are growing up. I feel like stopping time for a while and holding on to this moment for a just a little bit longer. As I brush my hand over their hair, one gentle whisper rises from my heart to heaven, “Lord, protect my little ones.” Yet another almost inaudible whisper breathes over their heads as I kiss them lightly, “I … Love … You!!”