Bath time is a big time of reflection for him. I hear a lot about friends at school and their days during his baths. I am pretty certain these friends have no idea how Henry has grasped onto their day and that he is thinking of them and praying through anything that he picked up as a concern during the day. It makes me laugh sometimes and sometimes it brings me to tears. I wish I could be the type of friend Henry is.
He had a foster kid at his school leave and come back and the sadness and joy that came with that was something I cannot even express in full. His pure joy to get in the car after school a few weeks ago to yell mama " he's back! he's back!" He is being adopted by a family at his school and it's such a joy to see. Henry prayed for him often and grieved him. I did too. I love when my child can see answers to his prayers.
He is not ever first pick, he is not the best in anything by the world's standards. He is not invited to parties or play dates often. His circle is big but small, if that makes sense. We like it that way sometimes because we realize what all it is protecting him from in the long run. His physical size does not match his insides. He is a big ole teddy bear. He doesn't make honor roll. He always has a perfect grade in conduct though and that is telling of more than anything else he can do at school. His only A is in conduct. It makes me smile. The thing is, he knows all the answers to the school work usually but he can't get it on paper. He is smarter than people realize due to his fine motor and upper body hurdles he jumps all day.
But this boy of mine has such an excitement and confidence that amuses us at times. We expect him to bow out or resist certain things due to not knowing anyone there, or seeing others doing it really well, etc.... but then there he is on the basketball court making all the baskets and guarding the net like Shaq when he hasn't even been playing that sport. The boys are all yelling "pass it to Henry!" and I am the mom that yells and claps at practice while the other moms look at me like I must have vodka in my Sonic cup. We stand in awe alot at this boy... and ourselves.
He knows the make and model of every truck on the road and can usually tell the tire size by glancing at them. I feel like I'm raising Rain Man sometimes. Henry knows all the books of the Bible and the apostles and the fruits of the spirit. He is busy and he is bright and he is bold. I hope he uses all this for good as he matures and makes more decisions on his own. Last night he told me he likes a girl in his class and he wants to get her a Valentine gift. He said they smile at each other and he has "love dreams" about her. God, help me! for real...I almost passed out and needed fresh air. Isn't he still an infant reaching for me to hold him?
I have not been able to pick him up in about 3+ years. He sits in my lap and it is like having an adult sit on me. He is still a big baby though and I am soaking up every innocent day we have left. Time moves too fast. Henry's laughter is contagious and I hope it stays that way forever. Being kind and laughing all the way is the only way to do this life. If that's all he scores a 100 on, then so be it!
Abby Jo
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