Cousins

Within an hour of our arrival last night my Mom's nicely decorated house had been reassembled. With a pair of curious two year olds wanting to touch everything we quickly found new places for bells, cranberries, candles, shells, great Grandma's saucers, M & M's, and clay coasters.

My Mom had baskets of blocks and plastic horses but little hands reached for intricate wooden ornaments and stereo buttons. Drawn to the breakable with one exception: the stuffed singing snowman played so often that his rendition of Jingle Bells grew lathargic and garbled as we sat around the fire telling Nana and Papa about our trip.

Elias slept for two hours of the five hour flight, his head on my lap and legs on Nick's. When he woke he bolted upright and said "Airpane!" Followed by, "Tess up there!" Cousin Tess sat two rows ahead of us and did not sleep the whole trip; but she made friends with the little boys ahead of her, drew pictures, played with playdough, and walked up and down the aisle.

It is hard at times not to compare Elias to his ten months younger cousin and to imagine what it would be like if he could run by her side.  As we left the plane for Logan airport, Tess kicked her legs and swung her arms and danced in circles, estatic to be able to move freely at last.

I still want that freedom for Elias.

And if it happens I will do my own version of the Tess dance.

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Dear Santa,

I know it's late in the season for letters and that you and your elves are busy delivering presents across the globe but I write to you on this Christmas Eve day with one wish.

Please help my little boy learn to walk.

I don't care if he needs assistance or if it takes him years of practice and he never gets it quite right.

There is nothing material that I need, this Christmas or for any more, just my baby's steps.

Or the strength to accept that whatever will be...

...will be.

All my love,

Christy

Comments

[DeannaBanana]

Christy,

I will make that my Christmas wish too. Even though you made me cry.

[Kristin]

Merry Christmas! :)

Maybe it's not exactly what you want to hear, but Elias's walking will only get better. How long ago did he learn how to cruise? How long has he been able to walk pulling his walker? Steering around corners? One day at a time... He's making great progress. And remember, he's happy - look at his smile! :)

Enjoy the time with your family!
I miss mine, but the loads of powdery snow makes for a great distraction!

See you in a few weeks.
Kristin

[Kyla]

We have similar Santa letters this year. :)

Merry Christmas, Christy!

[susanna]

I could have written a santa letter like that but didn't think of it. Just look back and see how far your son has come this year and know that he will make progress in 2007 too:) Looking back and recognizing progress helps me when I feel utterly distraught about how hard so many things are for my daughter.