Happy New Year!
I unexpectedly spent a quiet new year’s eve at home with my younger son and our two cats. We had plans as a family (minus the cats) to have dinner outside the city at a restaurant where my husband would be performing with his band, and we were all looking forward to ringing in the new year together. Well, instead, my younger son woke up with a serious stomach bug, and I’d already gone to sleep not feeling well. So together, we sat in our living room curled up on the couch trying to keep down the little amounts of tea and plain potato we’d ingested bit by bit. Thanks to my older son, we still got to see and hear some of my husband’s gig via face time.
So we ended 2014 with a blast (take that whatever way you please) and woke up to a much healthier 2015.
But what was really nice about the evening were the stories we told. We talked about some of our favorite memories from years past: going to summer camp, trips and visits with grandparents, funny moments, special friends and more. And when he needed some connection but didn’t feel up to talking, he just flashed me the ILY sign – “I love you.”
The best part of all, honestly, was singing lullabies. When my son was finally ready to wake up and get off the couch so he could go to bed, he asked me to stay with him in his room for a little bit. I started to sing one of the lullabies I had always sung to my kids when they were little…when I stopped, he asked me to sing more, and eventually feel asleep. It was such a special moment – something so seemingly minor was a major moment as a mom of teen boys.
A different New Year’s Eve than expected, but – despite the stomach bug – a happy one nonetheless. Wishing all our friends and families a very happy and healthy 2015!