One child
an ‘only child’ who briefly wanted siblings,
until ten of his cousins came over one day and he asked me to tell everyone he had a headache and retired to his room like an old man; he was four …
a child who, at two years of age, would rather change his own nappy than go to the toilet,
who had a dummy until he was three and would hide it if G’ma came over (he and I had a place to put it out of sight – especially the pink one!)
A child who was only an infant when his father first got sick, but who thought, when the moon was full, that “Daddy fixeded it!”
a child whose depth of feeling, of wisdom, of kindness, shines almost too brightly for me,
a child who has tested me with his worries and wonderings.
Today we came back from my best friend’s party in Perth,
and my child and I sang along with his favourite music booming through the car,
this child/man telling me when I was off key (what crap, I am never off key!)
ringing Husband in between riffs,
suddenly realizing we would be home in time for him to go to another party, and me saying yes, and his elation.
One child,
now 18 and showing wildchild signs, but all good.
He is a loud, laughing, boisterous replica of his father the way Husband used to be –
he is the life of the party,
he swears too much but only in a hip-happy way and he has forgotten our rule that swearing was only for inside the car,
but I don’t care because I love his joy.
One child,
who has seen more than enough sadness,
who has been my worst foe and my best friend,
my heart,
my mother’s day present every second,
my breath,
the best thing Husband and I ever did….
so this clumsy collection of words is for him, this wonderful person who carries the burden of my love for him on very strong shoulders,
one child….
Son.
jmgoyder 
Happy Mother’s Day!
you tooooooooo!!!!!!!
wonderful post.. ; )
Thanks Dianne – very much! Juliex
I must be getting old – it’s only 10.40pm but I have to go to bed!
your most wecome. its 11:38 am here as i reply, almost lunch time. that’s a very big time difference, have a good sleep.. : )
Happy Mother’s Day Julie! Once Christmas, my parents asked me what I wanted, I snapped back with, “I want to be an only child!” Don’t get me wrong I love my brother to pieces… 🙂
Oh that is so funny! I was the same as a kid – just wished my younger bros would go away – now I miss them so much as one is 3 hours south of here and the other in the Solomon’s.
Wonderful post, Julie.
Happy Mother’s Day and here’s hoping you enjoy it to the fullest.
It’s after midnight here in Melbourne, so I guess you must be a couple of hours behind me in WA.
I sometimes wish I’d had children of my own, but the dozen or so I’ve cared for as a live-in Nanny both here in Melbourne in the 1980’s and in the UK in the 1970’s were enough.
Oh, I nannied in London for awhile and that was enough to put anyone off having kids – hehe!
What a great remembrance Julie. I love it! I especially like ” the best thing Husband and I ever did”; so true.
Thank you so much, Sue!
That’s beautiful! How is his recovery from surgery going?
Fantastic! He gets the back brace off in a few days – yeeha!
Wonderful!
Very moving. Beautiful.
Thank you Judith!
Most wonderful post EVER! LOVED it Julie…. you have such a gift in expressing your feeling!
I just hastily hid it from facebook in case he got embarrassed – yikes! Thanks Robyn and have a wonderful Mother’s Day! Juliexx
😉 I loved seeing the photos in conjunction with your words — so much conveyed there. Does feel a bit like you live down the block – I must say:)
Just saw your post for your mother – how absolutely beautiful!
Hi,
A very Happy Mother’s Day, and I love the photos. 🙂
Thank you so much!
How lucky you are, even with all your sad burdens.
Very lucky!
What a great love you have for your son. Happy Mother’s Day!
u2!
A smart, wonderful kid. Happy Mothers’ Day, Julie 😀
You too, bluebee!
Wonderful written piece… I love your expressions and your writing style… God Bless you all. Thank you dear Julie, Have a nice Mother’s Day, Love, nia
To you too, Nia!x
Hardly clumsy words Jules.
Son is a blessing in your life its so apparent. He and you have this special bond that will guide you both through anything. Its a force, a power, this bond between you two. Whenever, anytime, you write about your handsome young man the words sing brightly with each syllable
Happy Mother’s Day Jules. You are one of the greatest! I don’t need to know you personally, (real) to know this. Its just who you are!
Thank you BB, for your poetic words – and Happy Mother’s day to you too!!!xxx
Is it possible to burst with love? I just did and it feels exhilarating! M.L.
Unfortunately, this gave me an image of an exploding pomegranate!
Happy Mother’s Day, Mummykins!
Reading this made me feel happy. We are so lucky aren’t we! Hope you have a great day.
You too, Helen – your girls are such a credit to you guys (I still remember their little cuteness when they were younger!) Juliexxx
Your family is so lovely. Happy Mother’s Day Julie!
~ Lynda
Everything went topsyturvy today so we are definitely not being so lovely at the moment – hehe!
Aw! Who invited Mr. Turvy to the party anyway? He’s always trouble. 😉
Sorry. ~ L
Mr Turvy – haha!
I have one child – a son – as well. And he is joyful too. Aren’t we fortunate to be so blessed. Happy Mother’s Day.
We are indeed and it is lovely to know there are other mothers with “onlys”. Did you cop flak for only having one? I did!
What beautiful post! Happy Mother ‘s Day!
Bella and DiDi
Lovely, lovely post!
ღ˚ •。* ♥ ˚ ˚✰˚ ˛★* 。 ღ˛° 。* °♥ ˚ • ★ *˚ .ღ 。*˛˚ღ •˚ ˚…Sending sprinkles of Love to You: Happy Mother’s Day! ˚ ✰* ★˚. ★ *˛ ˚♥* ✰。˚ ˚ღ。* ˛˚ ♥ 。✰˚* ˚ ★ღ ˚ 。✰ •* ˚ ♥
I will have to learn how to do this sprinkle thing!!!!!
😆
Oh this is just lovely. A wonderful vignette of you and your son.
Yes, he’s not bad when he’s not bad!
Lovely photos! And what a handsome young man! Congratulations!
Happy belated Mother’s Day!