Cole and Tony were each handed a helium balloon shaped like a butterfly. They proceeded to jump up and down and punch and kick their balloons (Note to reader: That’s what they’re supposed to do…they are little boys under three years of age.)
Unfortunately, just at the two minute mark, the balloons separated from their strings, floating up and up and up to rest against the cathedral ceiling. I observed the boy’s emotional reactions: first shock, followed by a bit of anger, and then lots of sadness accompanied by tears. Of course, this triggered consoling words from many grown ups.
Reaction such as this can inspire immediate action: 15 adults began to yell for a ladder – luckily, Grandpa Dan was the perfect man for the job. (Note to reader: Grandpa means “Here to save the day” in any language).
Tears streaked down Tony’s adorable face as he kept pointing to the rainbow colored butterfly. I watched as he leaned his head so far back that he almost toppled over onto the plush carpet. He stared at the balloon willing it down. The balloon didn’t budge.
Tony was having so much fun just moments ago. The balloon was a delight. It was his and it was shiny and it was new. In a blink of an eye, that incredible joy was gone. Moments before all the grown ups were smiling and laughing and enjoying his fun, and now none of them could instantly remedy the situation. While Grandpa dug the ladder out of the garage Tony stopped pointing at the balloon for just a moment and looked right into my eyes. Telepathic messages swirled out of his beautiful mind and connected with my inner child – below is an excerpt from that conversation:
Tony: Do you see it?
Ally’s Inner Child: Of course I see it, it’s shiny and colorful and it’s in the shape of a butterfly. It’s so nice! I like butterflies and I LOVE balloons.
T: I do too. It’s mine.
AIC: You can’t reach it?
T: No, look, [he points to the balloon, stretching his arm and body]
AIC: Try again. [Tony tries again].
T: It’s really far away, like in outer space.
AIC: Wow, that’s far.
T: It’s so far that even Mommy can’t reach it.
AIC: Wow. Well, if a Mommy can’t reach it then it’s really far.
[Tony looks around at the room full of relatives]
T: And none of these people can reach it either.
AIC: None of them? Not one?
T: Nope, I can’t believe it.
AIC: Sometimes people can’t reach the balloons in their life. Sometimes the strings just aren’t tight enough.
T: I KNOW, look! [Tony points again to the balloon]
AIC: It’s a metaphor – it means sometimes what we need is not within reach. Sometimes even people get sick and you can’t help make them better – no matter how much you will it to be so. Sometimes people will say and do things but they won’t feel like it’s enough. And as we get older we might notice that there’s not always an equal distribution of helium to keep things afloat.
T: What’s heeeelleeummm?
AIC: It’s a lifting gas.
T: Mommy says I have that after I eat spinach. I fart. Out my butt.
[Note to reader: Tony and Ally's inner child enjoy a laughing fit for a few minutes - transcription of Ha-Ha-Ha's omitted here to consolidate space]
T: Maybe they should stop making heeeelleeummm and balloons.
AIC: What? (AIC is shocked.)
T: If they can just leave you and fly away like this, then why even bother? One second I was happy and now I’m really, really, REALLY sad.
AIC: So…you wish you never got the balloon?
[Note to reader: Tony ponders this for a long moment (long in two year old time equals about 5 seconds).]
T: No, no I changed my mind!!! I changed my mind. I want it. I want it!
AIC: Even if it might cause you tears sometimes?
T: YESSSSSS!!!!!!!!!
Over the last couple of months my circle of family and friends have endured many surprises. Our days are full and fast and show no signs of slowing down. Every day we are faced with something we didn’t expect. The birth of twins. The loss of a dear friend. Another cancer diagnosis. A birthday celebration. An earthquake. A job promotion. An unexpected trip to the ER. Laughter with friends. A missing key. A dinner party. A headache. A great solution. An amazing movie. A lovely haircut. A great book. Yellow sunflowers in a vase. A great run. A cup of tea. A lovely phone call. A snow topped mountain. The perfect song. Chocolate. The perfect kiss.
Every day the elements bring us closer together.
Tony’s mommy secured the balloon string to his wrist….our spirits lifted together on butterfly wings.
