As I took a sip of my wine, Bobby sensed the need for camaraderie. 'Cheers,' he said from his grassy perch. I chuckled and said cheers back to him, raising my glass without getting up from my concrete seat. That wasn't good enough though. He wanted to hear the sound of plastic on glass ringing through the yard. He stood up, walked over, raised his cup and clinked my glass. 'Cheers' he said definitively. 'Cheers,' I repeated back to him, laughing a little harder this time around.
While I could write a whole blog on the role of 'Cheers' in Bobby's limited vocabulary, this is about something else. That is, Bobby's recent declaration of independence. With the acquisition of the skill to walk, Bobby no longer feels tied down so to speak. As a crawler, he might not have made the hurried move from center field to the bench to toast me; but as a walker, he was bound and determined to make the sippy salutation sound. He is a true boy. And he loves using his little legs to dart around the house and yard in search of all the things he's not supposed to touch, put in his mouth, bang, clang and break.
He's not the only one expressing an air of entitled freedom though. Mary has also been making some bold statements of independence recently. As a three year old, she sees herself as a big girl. She no longer wants to entertain the addition of a diaper to her wardrobe, at any time of the day (or night.) She wants to pick out what she will wear, and put every article of clothing on herself. She wants to cut her food, do puzzles, read books, unlock my iPad, run, bike, swing and slide all by herself. And given her snappy tone when I offer to help, my hand is nearly forced to keep its distance.
No, I can do it.
Okay, okay.
Ahhhh ... I can't do it.
Let me help you then.
No! I can do it. Go away.
Fine.
AHHHHHH! AHHHHHH!
Come here, I will help you.
NO! Leave me alone .... Ahhhh ... There, I did it.
Patience is definitely at a premium these days. Getting dressed and undressed for that matter, eating, using the potty, bath time, story time, bed time, potty time, story time, potty time, story time, GO TO SLEEP time (!) all seem to take twice as long recently. Every one wants to assert his or her freedoms and as a Mom that wants their kids to learn and mature, I've been loosening my reins a little more.
***
As I listened to the Homily at Easter Mass on Sunday, I took note to remember the real meaning of the holiday. While the bunnies, eggs, and pastel Easter frocks are cute, it's about Christ doing something completely profound for all of His children. And as I shoved another goldfish in Bobby's mouth and got another crayon out of my purse for Mary, I thought about just that.
We are all God's children. And He created us to think, act and speak freely. To try, and fail, and try again. And just as I get frustrated with my kids as they exercise their independence, it must be terribly frustrating for God to see us struggle with simple truths in his mind; simple choices between right and wrong. Or worse to abuse the freedoms we've been given or squash the freedom of another person. Yet, with all of our flaws; with all of humanity's malice, violence and wrong doing, He loved us so much that He died on the Cross and rose to save us all, preserving the beautiful creations He made in his image. Truly humbling. Truly joyous. Truly Magnificent.
Easter is the most wonderful time of the year. There's just no song on the radio proclaiming it as such. But the pretty pastel parties are perfect ways to celebrate. And celebrate we did.
Cheers!
Lo.
