Today has been one of those days that almost seem surreal. A grey, cold day. Winter is hanging on. In the air and in our hearts.
It has been a culmination of light and darkness. Joy and strife.
For quite some time, my little guy has been working away at reading “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” The littles had been promised they could watch the movie when he finished it.
And today, in the midst of the darkness and uncertainty as a woman’s life hangs in the balance, Cooter finished reading the very last page.
So tonight, after we got back home this evening, we put in the movie.
A promise is a promise, after all.
The excitement in the room was palpable. They kept talking about what was coming next, which was a bit irritating for the Mama in me, but since it showed good reading comprehension, the teacher in me was thrilled.
At one point, three of the main characters drink a “polyjuice potion” that contains a hair from another which causes each one to take on the form of the person from whom they got the hair. As they drank the potion, Cooter–who had been SO on board with watching the movie from the get go–started walking out of the room.
Wait. What?
“Y’all call me when it’s over,” he said over his shoulder.
“Where are you going? What’s wrong? Don’t you want to watch the movie?” I asked him. I couldn’t believe he was LEAVING.
“I’ll be back. I just don’t want to see them take another form. I don’t want to watch it happening.”
Oh bless it.
Me either, buddy.
Because it’s really hard, isn’t it, when you think you know someone and then, during a time of crisis or stress or at a meeting or a meal out with friends, that’s exactly what happens. Someone takes on a form, an attitude, says something so totally out of character. And it’s just hard. It’s painful.
Or like when it turns out the world isn’t the safe, fair, and just place you once thought it was–that’s hard too.
Tonight I’m thankful for light in the darkness, hope in the brokenness, and the high fives from a little guy who has worked so hard and met his goal. Even in the midst of the hard times, there is light and joy to be found.
Love to all.
I Might Need A Nap 