Tonight I went to a dance with a handsome young man. He wore a gray suit with a blue shirt and a lovely blue tie. He offered me his elbow and escorted me to the dance floor. He bought the tickets to the dance and gave them to the ladies at the table. He made me laugh and held an interesting conversation with me.
I knew it was the last dance I would be invited to. Soon, he will perhaps feel a little embarrassed by me. Soon, he may offer that elbow to another girl.
But for tonight, it was still me.
How is it that I can blink my eye and the whole world changes? How is it that I can take so much for granted and not even realize what a miracle a day is? Thank you, God, for moments like these when you sharpen the lens and bring into focus all that I thought I would never be able to see.
13 years and he's gone from a critically ill baby boy, through many trials, so much pain, so much effort, such perseverance, to now, a young man with broad shoulders and a quick smile. I watch him with wonder, realizing (again - why is it that I forget??) how close we came to all of this being an impossibility. I watch him and feel my worries dim - worries for his future, his success, his life. They dim because I see how very far he has come, how he defies me with his miracles. Every step I thought he would never take he runs right through.
So, tonight, I danced and laughed and watched. And I saved my tears for later.
I love you, son.
