I Know This Much

"Even a soul submerged in sleep is hard at work 

and helps make something of the world." 
— Heraclitus

At night sometimes, when your eyelids fall and your head sinks heavy against my shoulder, I study you. I take in every soft strand of hair, every wrinkle on your small fingers, and all the light sounds that you breathe onto my cheek as you sleep. And as much as I long for those moments to linger a little longer, I can't help but think about your tomorrows.

Though you are far from speaking your first word or taking your first step, there is so much I know about you, sweet one. Mamas have a way of being right about these things.

You will be kind. You'll be tender hearted. You will make me so proud with the way you care for others. You'll include the little one the other kids leave out. You'll spread cheer with your wild, gleeful grins, and you'll be witty. The world will be happier with you in it, as it already is.

You'll be wise. I can tell you are now. Just like your sister, you will be full of big words at a young age. You'll be inquisitive and thoughtful. And we can hope you'll catch on to math better than your mother.

And, of course, you will be handsome. I've never seen a more beautiful boy. Those eyes of yours, now colored by oceans and skies and sapphires, may someday fade into a gentle green or steady gray. That strawberry blonde hair may deepen into a auburn to match Millie's. And many, many years from now, your wife will stroke your wrinkled brow and hold your worn hand, but even then, you will be dashing.

Walter, your life will be large. Even if it is a quiet life without fame or much money, it will be grand and shining in the way it touches the lives of others. Your life will matter on this earth. There are so many reasons that you were born, even if the very first reason was for me to love you. You were made for this time in history. You were purposed for things beyond your biggest dreams. As sure as I know my own name, I know this.

So rest now. Have the sweetest of dreams, and know that they just small fragments of what's ahead. Sleep soundly, because you have so much to do when you awake.