Jonah Days

I have spent the last few days in the belly of a whale and it has been dark and lonley in there (a reference to the story of Jonah for those non-scriptorians out there). This morning as I was out for a solo beautiful mountain run I was thinking about being even more sad if I didn't have my sweet boys around me to help me smile and learn in hard times. As a teacher, I have known for many years that there are many things to learn from little children. But in the past few days, I have realized some of the sweet things I have recently learned from my own little boys.


Brigham is very concerned about everyone being happy. He is always checking with me when I am telling him a story to make sure that all of the people, including the villans, are happy. When I tell him that I am not happy about something he is doing, he says, "Mommy, you happy?" and flashes me a huge and questioning smile. How much better would my life and subsequently the lives of those around me be if I were so concerned about the continual happiness of others as little Brigham.


Mackay (pronounced Ma-key) just smiles and lights up when ever he sees me and it makes me feel special. When he knows that I am having a challenging time with his older brother, Mackay makes sure to say a sweet "hi" and smiles. When looking in that face, how can I stay mad for too long. Mackay teaches me that it is not worth staying angry because there is always more life to live and it is better to do it with a smile.

We have been encouraged to become as little children and it is amazing to me the lessons my little ones teach and humbling to realize how much better of a person I would be if I were more like them. Maybe these were some of the same things Jonah learned while in the belly of an ancient whale. I just wish that others who have a hard time could be surrounded by two such crazy and wonderful little men to at least take their minds away and make them see the world a little different.