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| THE WISH BENEATH MY PILLOW The kids were both at school today when I found my wish. I was cleaning closets and discovered a small, unmarked box on my son's top shelf. I placed it on the edge of the bed. It toppled over spilling its contents onto the floor. The first thing I saw was a tiny blue tennis shoe. "His first pair of running Nikes" my brother had written on the gift card. I picked up the unbelievably small shoe and held it in the palm of my hand. I couldn't help but compare. Reaching inside the closet, I extracted one smelly high-top tennis shoe, big boy's size two. I held them next to each other. The contrast was mind-boggling. That night I looked at my nine-year old's feet as he came to the diner table. I stared at them tucked under the table as he did his homework. I watched him walked up the stairs. When I tucked him in bed, I grabbed his right foot and gave it a playful wrangle. It no longer fit it in the palm of my hand. After the kids were asleep, I slipped upstairs, and retrieved the baby shoe I'd hidden among my socks that afternoon. Nobody saw me press the silly little thing to my cheek and then tuck it under my pillow. Ross and I went to bed several hours later. I curled up next to my warm husband and slipped my hand between the cool sheets and my pillow case. It was still there. I clutched the tiny shoes, closed my eyes, held my breath, and made a wish. What did I wish? I'll never tell. But it might have something to do with a pair of feet that could fit in these shoes ** I held you close. Now as you fly into adulthood, bound to open books and discover worlds, I release you. But not without one final prayer---prosper not only in your studies, but prosper in knowing God more richly. I will not be there to catch you when you fall. But God will catch you when I can't. Depend on Him and learn to trust Him. You are not alone. Knowing this, my empty nest will not seem so lonely. My heart will soar as I watch you take wing. * By Robin Jones Gunn, from "Mothering By Heart" ** By Linda E. Shepherd, from "Loves Little Recipes For Life" |