Sometimes I watch Samuel and think, “I wonder where he got those genetics because they certainly didn’t show up in his parents!” For example, by the time Samuel was 3 months old, I knew for certain that he was a cleanie. Born organized that one is. My first hint came when my water broke at 1 a.m. on the one day I was sure we wouldn’t be welcoming him. Yes, my son was born on his due date. My right on schedule boy.
As he grew, I found myself working hard to keep our house in some sort of order. Like all moms, I would sometimes lay him on a blanket on the living room floor while I tried to get some work done. When the house was clean, he would lay there cooing and happy playing with whatever toys I had left with him. When the living room was a mess, Samuel was fretful and anxious. Nothing could soothe him except picking him up. I was often thankful for the various baby carriers available.
The cleanie is strong with that one.
I don’t know which side of the family he inherited such a strong need for organization, but apparently it skipped a generation in Brenton and me.
As Samuel has gotten even older, more of his sweet personality has started to shine. The more recent personality traits that have shown up are perhaps even more foreign to me than him being a cleanie. He is an extrovert!
Brenton and I make the classic pairing of the artist marries the engineer. On the Myers-Briggs, the only personality traits we hold in common are that we are both introverts. Before Samuel came along, Brenton and I were perfectly happy to work side by side on our own little projects in our own little worlds. I am certain that God molds children to stretch parents.
When Samuel gets to the playground, he looks around and says with a disappointed sigh, “The kids are all gone.” I see one more way that being his Mama is going to stretch me.
I am thankful that all this stretching comes alongside the tenderest love and affection one human can have for another. Otherwise, I would retreat in the face of such an enormous challenge.
