Dear Sweet Boy

This morning you woke up and said, "Trains! Play trains." You are nearly four and half and this is the first time in two years that you wanted to play with trains without tantrums and without me plying you with treats.  You watched a video of a classmate playing with them and you decided that you could do it, to.  You never have liked wheeled vehicles before, and today you still weren't interested in setting up the track or in moving the train on the track.

Instead you played with them in your own unique way.  You nested.

Your daddy and I made you a train table when you were one and half.  And today you piled the tracks and trains on it, added a layer of Toy Story figures (paying the trains your highest compliment), you added some bubble wrap for good measure and then added the doggies, soft blankie and the quilt from your bed (your own version of whipped cream and a cherry on top).

I didn't get a picture of the next part because I was too busy giggling.  You laid on top of your treasures with the quilt covering you and your toys.  Your head was under the quilt and everything else was in a pile under you and you kept saying, "Sleep." Then you poked your head out from under the quilt, grinned at me and said, "I'm exhausted."

You, my son, are a hoarder of great treasures, you are a nester (often singing, "lay down in your nest, let me take a rest") and a cuddler.  And you accepted trains and train tracks into your nest to cuddle today, right on top of your train table.  And it made me cry--the happy kind.  My joyful boy learned how to play with trains in his own way.  You watched a peer at school, saw how happy trains made him and you decided to show me how happy trains make you.

I love you more than words can express.  So I think you and I will make a nest later today.

14 comments:

Kylie Lloyd said...

I understand you completely. I have a son who is nearly 5 who is Autistic too. Play is not the same as others. Toys are not their best friends. I still get excited when he plays his own games with his unused toys.

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Oh that is sweet indeed! What a precious time and wonderful experience for you all! Kids are the best teachers :-)

Amy Friend said...

Pure sweetness Melinda.

Carla said...

Aw, I didn't realize our little boys were so close in age! Such a magical age it is, too. What a sweet boy.

just2Bjulie said...

This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever read. A sweet story; sweeter still is the love you have for that beautiful boy.

A Trio Beautiful said...

Beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

Carla said...

Isn't that wonderful. It's the little moments that bring the most joy and the ones we remember most.

Linda F. said...

This story is almost better without a photo. I can picture him (and you) perfectly from your description.

Anonymous said...

oh henry... i love you. this story makes my heart swoon!
-melissa

Debbie said...

Precious post...you're awesome.

Jessie said...

Sweet Henry, and Sweet You. Henry is one lucky boy to have you for a mom.

Tahruska said...

I was almost in tears when I read this... Give Henry a big cuddle from me!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

What a wonderful post for a wonderful boy xx

Sarah said...

It's the small things! Kids bring us joy in so many different ways. Thanks for sharing xx

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