In this outside-the-box life, the brain tumor cut deep and far into the language center. Though Chase’s brain bravely held it’s ground and kept it’s words, sometimes, he experiences what appear to be gigantic non sequiturs. A word or phrase comes into his mind and he wants to…and even needs to say it over and over, but it’s not always apparent why.
In the days following the initial surgery trauma, it was most pronounced as he’d lean his two-year-old little body close to me and gleefully warble “Congratulations!” again and again – like a greeting and a benediction. Â Congratulations, indeed, my sweet boy…you survived major brain surgery.
But this new year, this new season, as he sits at the table munching turkey bacon -his always favorite- in his winter jacket, waiting for the bus to arrive; his brain comes up with the best yet…
“Mom,” he sighs; “You aren’t getting any younger.”
I sit back and laugh incredulously. “Chase! Do you even know what that means?”
The rest of the turkey bacon stuffed into a cheek, he chews contentedly and thinks aloud. “No. Not really. But I think it probably means that you’re getting younger. But also, not really.” And then he reaches over and pats my arm, repeating “Mom, you’re not getting any younger, but it’s okay. I love you.”
And there it is. Love helps us make the most of our time.
~MbM~
love this, sweet Ellie.
i remember when my little boy was about 4, he was concerned about the idea of me getting wrinkles (glad he got over that!!!) because he understood it meant i was getting older and he didn’t want to lose me. Still a precious memory…they are so dear to us – our boys.