What I Could Not See Then

Hotel life was really uncomfortable. And I use "uncomfortable"quite loosely because we did not exactly stay in the smallest or shabbiest of places. Still, the kids were out of a routine, out of their own beds, and eating out all of the time. We had to make the most out of that per diem, you know. Everything was a game, including calling the concierge every few minutes. I finally started unplugging telephones in all but the master bedroom of the eight places we stayed. Quite simply, they were bored. And they were going to make sure I understood that. I doubted I would ever see the end of hotel life. But something very special was happening right before my eyes and I could not even see it. I was probably blinded by the devious giggles and overtired whining.It is only something that is beyond obvious now.. In our months of transition, through the poking at one another, and cavorting that drove me absolutely crazy, my kids grew super close. We had a whole lot of togetherness. There were days we thought it was too much togetherness, and I could not wait to move into our spacious home so the kids would not be in each other's faces.

But now, the boys insist on being together. They miss one another when they are apart. They constantly think of the other. Son1 grabs snacks for himself and his brother. He begs me not to put his brother to sleep so they can play. Son2 asks incessantly for his brother while he is at preschool. He calls out for Son1 whenever he wakes in his crib. Now it isn't dreamland. They still have their sibling rivalry. But their closeness tickles my heart.

I love my two boys. I am so glad they have each other. Together they are more than for what I could have ever wished.