I have been trying to remain calm amidst the large number of storms brewing around me.  At times I feel like I am a little paddleboat in the middle of an ocean about to be caught up in a hurricane.   But, I am also someone who firmly believes we are tested for better things to come.   Not everything is obvious at the moment. But a time will come when there will be light. That keeps me going. Well, that and my awesome son.

As of late, he has been hugging me a lot. I have started to wonder is this normal for a nine year old? Soon, he will be a tween and will I continue to get unsolicited hugs?   I truly hope that I will receive those hugs without having to bribe him but I also know kids grow up faster and faster these days.

When my son hugs me, I hold onto him very tightly. I hear his little heartbeat right up against mine. Is there anything more awesome than that? I remember when I used to feel him move in my belly right after I ate strawberries. That was such a cool feeling. I would sometimes eat strawberries just to watch my stomach move as if an alien were in it.  All this to say that I love my son’s hugs.

I did ask him this morning why he was hugging me so much lately? He answered  “well, it’s Christmas time.” I frowned.   Inside, I wondered if it was all just for gifts?   He looked at me and saw my slight frown. He grabbed my face and asked “what’s wrong mama?” I asked him why were the hugs related to Christmas time?  He answered me that Christmas time is not just for gifts. He noted that Christmas is a time for hugs, smiles and love.  And, so he wanted to make sure I got plenty of hugs. Of course, my heart melted. How beautiful a sentiment.   I asked him if I could get a 100 hugs.  He told me that he would love to but over some time so that he doesn’t get too sore since I squeze him so tightly in return.

I don;t think I can ask for anything more than that for this Christmas. I am a very lucky girl and mama.  And that helps me weather any storm and makes the good times even sweeter.