That one hurt

My son. He is all boy, in every sense of the word. He is so lovable, and yet so...what is the word I am looking for? Hmmmm, chaotic? Hannah, my girl-sailed through her toddler years so much so that she is still a toddler-a two year old mind you-and not a care in the world. But Zech, let's just say if he can climb it, pull it, break it or tackle it he will. And yet, how can the Tasmanian devil be so adorable? He is clumsy as all get out, and manages a new cut, scrape and/or bruise on a daily basis. He may climb to new heights but he falls just as hard. He may reach new limits, but my bathroom angel is now broken. He may reach new destinations, but my bookshelves have seen better days. He is, in all sense of the word-BOY.

Yet, each time I am frustrated at the new disasters that he has managed, my heart melts almost just as quickly with one flash of that irresistible smile. He bops me with toys and laughs, leaves cars purposely in my morning path, and head butts me daily,but again...that one smile, chest rub please or sink in you hug and your caught in his elaborate web of painful love.

The other day is a perfect example that may bear permanent scar-like testament to his talents. Hannah, Zech and I were outside-they playing, I gardening- like any regular afternoon. I was watering mindlessly while I listened to the laughter of my offspring, little be-knowest-me that Zechary had found the cultivator resting against the back fence. Now, he could have seriously hurt himself with that one, or even caused severe damage to his sister, so when I noticed him with it, like any good mother I quickly scolded him (and myself for leaving it out) and took it away-resting it behind the house near where I was watering.

In the moment it took me to turn around and move the hose that little stinker grabbed it again and laid it in my bare foot's path, where-upon you guessed in, my big toe met the sharp protruding prong in a "stubbing toe-like" fashion. OUCH-is and understatement of the word I silently screamed into my head while I allowed the cold water to pump from the hose to the throbbing pain. When I braved to glance at the damage I realized that I was bleeding-A LOT.

Of course Brandon was not home, so I got to be brave-mom, and gather the kids inside...careful not to bleed on the living room rug, while I hobbled into the kitchen, grabbed a paper towel and hop-bled back into the living room to put on the Lion King Diversion. I returned to the kitchen calmed the bleeding with pressure and assessed the damage. The Cultivator prong had side-aimed into my toe, under the nail and exited below the ridge of my cuticle, yes that's right folks-clean through it. Thanks Son.

I hobbled to the medicine cabinet and poured the alchol-on the wound-and honestly choked down a few profanities. Then I wrapped it with gauze, hobbled back into the kitchen, picked up the good ole ice bag (we are becoming good friends now-a-days) returned to the diversion and joined my precious munchkins in time for Scar's musical number. I called Brandon and asked him, in so many wordsm, to come home quickly, propped my foot up and called it a day.

Bandon came home, confirmed the extent of my pain and tackled bedtime all on his own. (A huge feet not to undermined.) That night, the throbbing was so intense I slept on the couch. The following day, my foot was so swollen that I honest-to-God, wore Brandon's slippers to work. The following day, less swelling but still painful and so I cheated and wore flip flops to the classroom. And today, 3 days later, I re-cleaned the wound and pushed out enough clean liquid (not puss-no infection-thank you Jesus) that my toe nail can once again rest in its usual pocketed home. But now it throbs again.

So, whether you agree that my son is at fault, or blame me for being careless, or sympathize with my pain, or finally understand my recent limp-you can all concur that my son-as lovable as he is-has a talent with and for delivering pain. To himself, as well as others. At least he is not particular. And thank goodness this is one lesson that I learned in his place.