Happy Birthday Koen

What’s that dot on your foot? He wanted to know.

I had to look hard. Has he not noticed I have dots all over me?

Koen. The name that encompasses our littlest grandson and baby in his family, yet fighting that thought all the way. The fact is, in many ways he missed out on allowing himself to be a baby to be fed, read to or cuddled. His language skills are beyond him, which is a great asset because the need to communicate his plan is of utmost importance due to his determination - much like his mom, but more so. He is cute and sweet until he thinks someone has made a decision for him . . . sometimes the trick is to let him think he made the decision . . . an idea which does not go past him too easily. With this post I invite you to peek into a few hours of his life at this stage.  
 

About a week ago we had a large church picnic with activities for kids. After they finished their hotdogs, I took him and his older siblings through the crowd for a few last rides. Refusing my outstretched hand, he kept his distance as though he were walking and deciding things on his own. This is not a good idea when drifting through crowd of a thousand people and I felt uncomfortable having to constantly look around to see where he was. When I finally decided this was not working, I took his hand and ended up dragging a very unhappy, crying child through the maze of people. So much for any high ideals placed on this Grammy!
 

Fast forward one hour. The crowd of people moved into the sanctuary for a service. With Shaun and Kristal in the band and choir, we had the kids with us. Koen decided to sit three seats away from us and by now that makes perfect sense. There are times when you just have to let him prove himself and to everyone’s joy and delight he sat / stood through the whole service like a pro. The band came up to play and we all stood up to sing.  He decided to enjoy the music even though he could not see a thing with adults in front of him blocking his view. We would have loved to hold him up and let him see the front, but he was happy - hidden away - clapping his hands, singing, sometimes adding some foot tapping or an interesting elbow move. He kept going like he was plugged in, pretty well through all nine songs. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the people in the row behind us could not wipe the grins off their faces, thinking he was so well behaved. I let them think it … because right then and there he was.

 



taken in July 2013 

 

Koen, you are loved! And if I don’t have the chance to tell you when you are older, I want you to know that God has made you who you are for a good purpose. May you be strong and courageous to do what is right and accomplish much. For today, have fun being three – going on seven!