I lay down beside him, just as we do every night.
'Mum, I really like you'.
'Aww, I like you too buddy'.
We share this exchange every day now. And each time my heart skips a beat. The way he honestly expresses his feelings towards me, so innocently and without flourish or extravagance. So beautiful.
This particular night he mentioned how big dad is. I said that one day he would be as big and as tall as dad.
'Wouldn't that be hard to imagine, that you'll be as tall as daddy one day?'
He smiled and nodded, already proud at the thought of such an achievement.
And then a sadness drifted into my heart. Hang on. You're my little king, not sure I want you to grow up so soon. The thought of seeing him one day, a tall, strong man seems so distant.
'Hey mum! Guess what! It's Christmas tomorrow!!!'
Aahh yes, but today, today he is still my goofy little boy who has no sense of time.
'Um actually no, it's not Christmas tomorrow Joseph. Christmas was a few weeks ago darling.'
'Oh'.
He snuggles in and we say prayers and I'm thankful that he grows only a little each day, and it's the number of days all together sprinkled with love and nurturing that will, one day, make him as tall as his daddy.
I'm just glad that day isn't today.
