I depend so much on pictures because they tell the part of the story that my non-writer self can not adequately capture in words.
When the boys were newborns, I felt almost desperate for them to recognize each other, to see each other, to *know* they were twins. Those hopes kept me going through bed rest and sleepless NICU nights. They used to kind of stare in each other's direction and then one day, Alex laughed for the first time. He giggled and giggled when Nate shook this monkey in a gym play mat.
It was pure magic. I will never forget that sound, ever.
That is why I have a tough time capturing age 4. There is pure magic unfolding in front of our eyes. The boys play together. They laugh together. They show each other real affection. On the flip side of their insanity, there is a gentleness and love for each other that is nearly impossible to describe.
(Alex consoling Nate after he lost to Alex at Wii bowling)
I will never find the right words to describe watching this relationship unfold because some parts of this parenting experience are beyond words. Words can't do this love justice.
12 comments:
I think at these points we just have to keep our eyes on the BIG parenting goals and ignore them when they're being hellians :)
Blogger ate my comment. Rest assured it was awesome, but I'm too lazy to re-write. Anyway, I loved this post. And you don't suck at writing. It's always hard to put such strong thoughts and feelings into words and sentences.
AWWW that is precious! I love those sibling moments. I will never have the twin moments, but we are experiencing a lot more of the special sister moments at our house. I can't get enough!
That is so adorable! My two are only 8-months old, but they show signs that they may actually love each other in this way...*some*day. Right now, they mostly steal each other's toys. Amazingly, even that is still cute. (For now.)
Awww - why do you have to go and make me cry first thing in the morning? That picture matches your beautiful words perfectly - your writing captured the sentiment even if it is hard to fully articulate what you are witnessing.
Like Mel, I will never have the twin moments but I feel truly blessed every day as I see the bond between siblings unfold. I remember talking about how hard it was to have a baby and toddler 2 years apart and now I reaping the rewards.
Precious and you described it beautifully. Any parent who raises a child to have that much compassion is doing a lot right. :)
I'm currently trying to teach the boys that when the other gets hurt, instead of laughing, they should make sure they are all right (and then they can laugh, if warranted, of course) ;).
And really, I don't have words for just how precious that picture is.
Rest assured that your writing does not suck. There are so many times I think "I wish I could express myself as well as Laura" after reading one of your posts. But on the other hand, photos like this one don't need a lot of words - I started to get a little choked up when I saw it. What a beautiful moment!
Unrelated - sometime I want to find out more about your hearing aid. I'm desperate for my mom to get some new ones, but I just can't find the time to do any research.
Each age can be so sweetly beautiful and so hellishly terrible. Just keep the great moments in mind and then later, you can look back and hopefully laugh at the insanity. Your pictures capture each age so perfectly. You just keep getting better and better.
My 6.5 year old told me last night that I embarrass her. I can't believe we are here, at 6.5
My 2.5 year old twins are insane. The amount of hair that they have been pulling out of each others' heads lately, I don't understand how either of them have even a strand left. But then they will go and do something so sweet for each other. It balances out.
What am I going to do in a few short years when I have 3 teenage girls?
That is such a sweet picture. I believe that if a child can be compassionate than we must be teaching/showing them something right.
I love everything about this post! I feel the same way about not being able to capture the feelings of those special moments in words, its so true and its not just you. I also know what you mean about those special moments being burned in your memory forever. I have a lot of those.
That picture makes my heart melt!
We just hit 4 and I am totally understanding your post! I have been both amazed and flabbergasted at some of the things the boys have said or done lately. Takes things around here to a whole new level! And just for the record, your writing does not suck!
I haven't forgotten about you...I will email you soon. Lots of craziness in our life.
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