Close (Five Minute Friday)

I was away last weekend, on a road trip with some super fun friends. And then I came back and it was a whirlwind week as we are in the home stretch for this school year. Come on summer!

So it's another Thursday and I had nothing on my mind all week related to the prompt. Close. I didn't even know if I was reading it close - as in near, or close - as in shut the door.

And then in the final minutes of the link being open, the final 2 hours, I am making time.

Go.
While I was away this weekend, my kiddos missed me more than they usually do. They hugged me extra tight when they got home from their dad's house. And held on extra long when I tucked them in for bed. I don't know if it is a phase they're going through, or normal growing pains that come with split families or what.Not that I ever object to extra snuggles from my girls!!

Every morning this week, my 9 year old has asked me to snuggle with her in bed. "Mama, can you come in a few minutes before normal wake up, just to hold me close?" I can't turn her down. I know all too well that in a few short years she'll be all grown up. She won't want to cuddle with mom in the morning before school. I pray she'll always at least want to hug me, but I don't think she'll want every one of these morning cuddle sessions by the time she's 16.

So I will cherish the time now, while she's asking for extra time for mom to hold her close. And praying every single minute that it helps form our relationship solid enough that when she's grown, she'll want to come back and have a little extra mom time. That the physical closeness we create now will bind us together and she'll be as close, or closer, as I am with my mom. Sharing all our thoughts as friends when we're grown, and with great memories of when she was my little girl.

Stop.

PS .. one other perspective on close. I posted 2 weeks ago, on our GRATEFUL day, about our campaign in May to help raise awareness about NF. The generosity of friends and strangers has exceeded all expectations and we are so thankful. And as the month of May draws to a close, we are so close to $30,000! If you'd like to be a part, it's not too late. Just click this hyperlink. And it is never too late to spread the word. Because even though the fundraising campaign will come to an end, NF is still here. My friend Ethan is facing some extra tough challenges this summer with another surgery pending in August. So, if you would, pause and lift him, his family, and his doctors before The Lord today. And whenever you see #EndNF come across your timeline. And whenever it pops into your head. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

Also Linking to Five Minute Friday.