Sleeping Beauties

The kiddos had a 5 day weekend due to teachers work days and MLK day being observed today. They spent this time with their dad.

It’s amazing how just a few days can make such a difference in how you see children.  When you see them  day in and day out it’s easy to not noticed the sublime changes that occur every day. Every time the kids go away for a few days, I am amazed at the things I see on their return.

Estrella, my oldest girl, has been transforming into a young “lady” and that I have not missed…I see it often and it always takes me by surprise, even though I know very well that it was due and that it would happen. Some days I just want to hold her and put some sort of magical spell on her. One to protect her from the pains of growing up, from her first  broken heart etc. but I know that’s futile and not fair. Without experiencing all aspects of life how can she grow ready to live it to the fullest?

Every night that they are with me, I kiss them goodnight and tuck them in. Every night I check
on them through the night once or twice. Even on my oldest boys when they are around.

Have you ever noticed that looking at your sleeping children, no matter what age they are, is like looking at time without order or boundaries. You see past, present and future all at once. At least I do. I see my babies smiling at me in all innocence, arms out asking to be picked up. I ‘feel” the warmth  and magic of their hug and hear their wonderful little giggles.

I see who and how they are at this moment. Their smiles so proud when they accomplish something, their quick footsteps, running around interacting with each other. I hear their sweet voices saying  “I love you mami”.  In the case of my older boys I see the men they have become. I hear their grown up laughter, joking with me now more like a friend but still their mami. I see how much and how little  they have traveled in life, the beginning of their adult journey.

And then I see glimpses of the future, in their relaxed state of sleep.  A moment when the walls of time and physics appear to crumble and allow me a peek at their future self's. And many times my eyes get all watery and sometimes I almost weep. not in sorrow because they are growing up, even though it’s bitter sweet, but in awe and gratefulness of having them in my life.

And that was the sentimental part.  Now here comes another reality. And that is that my bed has been taken over by  a coup of the two oldest princesses

              
I looked at them and thought “I’m too tired to move them” Good night , sleeping beauties.