Recently my husband I awoke to Cooper looming over us in bed. He was sobbing -- and I mean choking with uncontrollable crying -- and visibly shaken. When we cuddled him and asked him what was wrong he said that he had a very bad dream.
"Mason was falling and I couldn't catch him." he wailed. Oh how sad.
Cooper has had many bad dreams in his short life. Spiders, Bakugan warriors, Star Wars villains... you just never know what will rattle a 4-year-old. But none has shaken him so solidly as a nightmare in which his little brother is hurt. Instantly my heart was both wrenched and warmed. Of course I was sad that Cooper was miserable in the thought of his brother's demise.
But I was relieved that he loves him to this degree. You see, by my own estimation my greatest fault as a child was that I was a genuinely horrible sister. I did not care enough for others, particularly the endless parade of brothers that was brought home to live with me. I cared a great deal about myself. I lacked empathy for them. I'd like to say it's grown in me over the years. Perhaps it has, a little. I take copious mental notes when I'm with someone who loves everyone. I want to be that person. I want my children to be that person. If they are nothing else in life, I will be satisfied that they are empathetic to each other.
That is my sweetest dream.
7 comments:
Aww that story is so sweet - it makes me want another kid!
Awww... That made my eyes water. How wonderful Cooper is.
Brothers and sisters are a good thing. I always wanted to know what it was like to have a sibling. When you are 5 and your siblings are 25...there isn't much of that brother/sister thing happening. It has been a joy in my life as I have grown and circumstances have become the same as my siblings, that age doesn't matter anymore. I know have a relationship with my siblings. Okay it is not rolling around on the floor or playing together, but it is talking, sharing and helping each other. Great post Julia! You are one lucky mom to have boys that love each other! Sending love to your house. We miss you. Park Hill misses you!
Many years ago before I truly could understand the wisdom of this advice, a great older friend said to me, "The measure of a successful mother is how much her adult children enjoy one another." That comment has always stayed with me. It is my wish that those relationships between my children are forged and strengthened over the years.
There is nothing like a special bond that is shared between siblings. It's so wonderful that they have each other.
Cooper is a good lad, isn't he?
Melt my heart!
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