my world, my true

Hide-and-Seek

Today, you were very sick. So sick, in fact, it made my heart hurt every time I looked at you. Even though you felt exhausted, sore, achey and itchy, all you wanted to do was find your normal. You sought high and low for it all day long. Even when we tried desperately to make you sit and rest, you wanted to play because play was distracting…playing meant everything was okay.

So, I tried to oblige as much as possible to help you get through the day. You said, “Mama, let’s play hide and seek!” I said, “Okay!,” and we were off.

We have attempted to play this game before and you always wanted me to hide with you. There was no seeking involved, we were together, hiding from no one, but being very sneaky about it.

This time, you wanted to count, you wanted to hide on your own. I told you to hide first and you ran and stood next to a chair, right in plain sight and screamed at the top of your lungs just as my count reached 10. “You find me!” you said as you laughed hysterically.

Then it was my turn. I told you to close your eyes tight & count to 10. It took every muscle in your little face to squeeze your eyelids shut & you covered your eyes with your little rash-covered hands. Your adorable counting began, “one, two, see, sore, sive, seben-nine-TEN!!!” you screamed as I ran and hid behind the open door in the laundry room.

“Where are you, Mommy?! Daddy, where Mommy at?!” you asked as you tiptoed my way, giggling and bouncing until you spotted my head peeking out and squealed again with great satisfaction and perfect excitement. I laughed wholeheartedly and hugged you tight.

We repeated the game a few more times. We both wanted to play for hours, but you needed your rest. You agreed to find a comfy spot on the couch with Daddy and I reluctantly ended the game for the sake of your health.

I can’t recall ever having so much fun playing hide-and-seek. It made me realize that even though I sometimes tire of playing “roars” with you from time to time, and often times I’m setting up your play environment for you so that you can learn from it, that a lot of time between us is spent playing together, and that, when you’re not up for playing, I miss my playmate. I miss your laugh, your creative scenarios. Your non-stop energy that totally drains me daily—I miss that, too. So, hurry up and get better soon, so we can play again, okay?