Scratching Back in Time

It’s Saturday night.

We tucked in overtired kids. Smooch, smooch, smooch. We shut doors and came down stairs.

I took my first sip of a large glass of wine and settled in to the work I must catch up on by Monday just as I heard the door open upstairs.

Briggs (sleepily): Mom – can you come scratch my back?

I sighed, loudly, took a swig and slowly started upstairs.

Ned (calmly): Babe, he will stop asking one day.

Louder sigh and another big swig.

I scratched. And listened to what just happened in Chapter 15 of Harry Potter. We snuggled. Another smooch. Closed the door….perhaps a little tighter this time.

As I walked out – this stared me down –

Briggs: Age 3

And as I started down the stairs –

Briggs: Age 2

And on the landing –

Briggs: 7 months

The wine and the work are still waiting for me.

But I paused for a moment and thought about the blink that has been the last 7 years. And how Ned is right – 7 years from now I’ll be scratching at Briggs’ door to be let into his thoughts, for even a few minutes.

This is just one of life’s many tricks. I guess at least realizing it is happening provides some comfort. There isn’t one right answer, but awareness is a strong first step.

And hopefully tonight, Briggs and I both have sweet dreams.