Wagon Wheel

Picture this:

I sit next to Elias at our kitchen table for a late dinner Thursday night. He's finishing some gluten-free pizza and I'm just starting a bowl of turkey chili. Nick washes dishes and Olive plays in her room where she's been sent to get into her pjs.

The kids returned after 7:00 pm from Elias's Top soccer program for kids with special needs. And I walked in after 8:00 from my rehearsal for Arctic Entries, an evening of storytelling in which I am sharing a piece that weaves together dip-netting on the Kenai with Elias's premature birth and subsequent challenges.

My story's emotional and I'm drained after the adrenaline build up of anticipating sharing it with the Story Board and other participants. Nick puts on Elias's favorite song, Wagon Wheel, by Old Crow Medicine Show, and my boy who barely sings Happy Birthday above a mouse's whisper starts to sing:

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama any way you feel
Hey mama rock me

I put my spoon down and join in with my boy:

Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a southbound train
Hey mama rock me

We sit at the table and sing to each other, just like this, humming along with the lyrics we don't know till the refrain returns and we can croon actual words:

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama any way you feel
Hey mama rock me

Elias shakes his head side to side and looks right at me from time to time as we sing, I return his gaze with tear-line eyes, amazed at how far we've come.

 

Happy Friday All.
 

Comments

[Burke Shethar]

Teary-eyed myself just reading it. Cheers Christy, Elias, Nick and Olive

[fleming ackermann]

I love that song too! Amazing how music brings people together. I have 4 ten year old girls over tonight who are circling each other on hover boards while they sing" flashlight" from Pitch Perfect 2. It is too cute. sweet dreams after your special bedtime song.

[Paula]

Amazing! Yes you all have come a long way - who would have thought. Faith and prayers and a big community of support but mostly the love that you and Nick have for your family. ;)

[Greta]

Love

[Mary]

Beautiful!

[Noel Dennehy]

Music does wonders with kids- love your blogs always. I can't wait to see your parents here the end of March and I know we will see lots of pictures of all of you plus so many stories!
xox

[Christy]

Thank you all, its the little moments like this that carry me through the harder ones.