What is it about boys? Why are they hard-wired to be messy, loud, violent and so, well...male? Today, sick with a cold and dealing with a bout of laryngitis which has stolen my scream, was reminder after reminder of the strange fascinations of my sons.
First, mud. It rained today, and in the cold Michigan almost-winter, outside was not an option. Why, then, did my 20-month old insist on following his father past the porch in the rain? He was sans socks, and appeared appalled when the cold, wind and wet struck his bare feet. Despite this, retreating back indoors was not on his agenda. What better occupation in the freezing rain than making mud pies with bare toes?
Second, toilets. And toilet brushes. This might become a useful skill one day, but for now I am growing weary of finding my too-silent toddler happily occupied with splashing toilet water all over the walls by alternately dipping and flinging the toilet brush in and out of the bowl. I confess, nothing else was likely to motivate me to clean the bathroom today, given my cold. Nevertheless, UGH!
Third, food. My five year-old boy is a bottomless pit. I mean, even constant eating is not enough to satisfy him. "Could I have a snack?" "I want more!" "Can you get me a drink?" I despair of my dwindling grocery supply, and it is only Wednesday. Not to mention that his little brother is beginning to mimic him. With his limited vocabulary, he begs me "Some! Some!" Pointing to the treats on top of the refrigerator, he tries repeatedly to convince me to let him choose one (or two.)
Fourth, guns. Why is it that little boys instinctively know what sounds a car, an ambulance, and a gun make? For five long years we resisted allowing our boy to have a toy gun. Finally, after resigning ourselves to the fact that every block, stick and rod he came across was, in his imagination, already a gun, we allowed him to have one. Immediately, his little brother grabbed the plastic piece, took aim, and announced "pew, pew!"
Fifth, mommy. Mostly, I love having two mommy's boys. The way they cuddle and kiss melts my heart after a hard day. But when I'm sick, I want my space. One of today's major challenges was disentangling myself from a blanket of boys as they lay on me, crowded me, or crawled across me. I was overwhelmed by their needs, their energy, and the mess of toys that surrounds my boys like a tornado circling a trailer park.
Finally, I put them in bed and head for my own. Tired, voiceless, dreading work tomorrow (
how will I manage that, anyway?) I make one last round as I turn of lights and lock doors. I gaze at their still, sleeping forms. There they are, my maddening little men. Curled, cute, quiet. Ah, the fascination of my boys!
"He who overcomes shall inherit these things,
and I will be his God,
and he will be My son."
--Revelation 21:7
