you surprised me

Sometime between dinner last night and the kids leaving for school in the morning, this sticker appeared at knee-height on a cupboard door. I'm not sure if it was a group effort or the work of a stealth lone ranger -- but the first thought that popped into my head was, "Right back at ya, kid."

Surprise. It's a word that comes to mind so often when I think of motherhood.

And it's a word that's here to stay.

Four children, four personalities, four different journeys. 

• You surprised me the moment each of you made yourself known with a pair of lines on a stick

• You surprised me the first time I looked into each of your eyes and recognized you

• You surprised me by changing everything I thought I wanted for myself to everything I wanted for you

• You surprised me with the indescribable joy of even your tiniest moments

• You surprised me when I stopped wanting to grow up and move on to the next thing and instead started wishing for time to stand still

• You surprised me with the depth of hurt I could feel on your behalf

• You surprised me with how much sleep I would lose even while you slept

• You surprised me with your generosity and kindness

• You surprised me with your ability to forgive my mistakes

• You surprised me with the way you see the world

• You surprised me with your gifts and talents

• You surprised me with the hope I feel for you every single day

• You surprised me with your love and patience for one another

• You surprised me with the ways you've changed my life

There will probably be a burst of giggles, finger-pointing, even a dash of worry as I try to get to the bottom of the mystery at tonight's dinner table. So I'll open with, "It was a really nice surprise to find a surprise sticker." 

They'll probably forget about it by tomorrow, but I won't.

Because isn't it life's best surprises that we should hold closest of all?

Comments

[anita... a.k.a. the sister]

I can't do it...
I can't make it through this blog because I am at work and actually wearing mascara... And if I want it to stay on my eyelashes and not streak down my face, then I can't finish reading this.
I started to well up on the second point, started to choke up on the third point, and decided to stop at the forth...
However, I know that the first thing I will do when I get home is grab a kleenex, read these words and then no doubt run to my boys for hugs and kisses.... And then wipe the black streaks off my cheeks....
I can't wait!

[You know who]

"Did that surprise you?" is the question we open with when a child has a bump or fall. It's a great word that is open to all of the good or bad that can accompany it.

[Jenn]

It's hard to pick, but I think this is my fav so far ;-)

[Louise]

Love these comments (and the women behind them).

SIster: I think reading this blog has brought out the sentimental side of you :)

B: That's a great change to my usual, "Did that scare you?" I'm going to try it!

Jenn: thank you sweets. I love being inspired by something unexpected.

[Lee-Ann]

Once again, a late night cry for me. Nice work :)

[Celeste]

Yes! My toddler (16 mos old) surprises me daily! Several, several times per day! She's amazing ...