Dear Caden: The Perfect Pumpkin

Sunday, October 28, 2012

The Perfect Pumpkin

Dear Caden,

We took you to the pumpkin patch yesterday. You were so intent on finding THE pumpkin. You would go up one isle and down the next, tapping on some and trying to pick up several others. You found a white one with lots of bumps and stood there for several minutes eyeing it, wondering why it was so different from the other smooth, orange ones. You finally touched it saying, "Noo! Nasty!" and this elicited several laughs from people who were watching you. You looked around and there they were- the Caden sized pumpkins. You scamper over to rows and rows of the tiny pumpkins and begin to study them. You pick up one and put it back down just to pick up another one. Suddenly you lift one up above your head with a huge smile on your face- you found it! The perfect pumpkin is in your hands! Daddy picks you up and you lean over to tell him something and begin giggling.

I want to freeze this moment. Watching the pure unadulterated joy on your face while finding your favorite pumpkin, the whispers of love in Daddy's ear, the squeals from touching the bumpy pumpkin, the smells of fall in the air with the colorful leaves slowly falling off the trees. An airplane flies overhead and you gleefully point to it, "Airpane!" and just like that, the moment passes.

I know that just as the seasons must change, so must you grow up into who God intends you to be. And while I have no doubt that you will be amazing when you are older, you are just as amazing now...as my Caden, my dear little Caden. One day, I will be taking pictures of my grandchildren while they search for THE pumpkin. And we will be able to see a fresh, whole new world through those little eyes and hear once again, the squeals of joy and you will be the Daddy getting whispers of love. But until then Caden, I promise to try and slow down and capture every moment, as fleeting as it may be, to watch you grow and find the world through your eyes.

Love,
Mommy