1 + 1 = 3

Everything comes in twos.  At least that’s how it has been for us.  The other day, I heard a mother say that having a second child does not mean double the work…it’s more like tripling it.  It’s amazing how adding just one more of something often translates into more than it seems it should.  I thought about this last night as I was at the park with my two boys and only one of my dogs.  For those of you who know we have two dogs, you might wonder “where was the other one?”  Well, I knew that bringing just that one more being to our outing at the park would tip the scales just a hair too much.  I couldn’t imagine myself pushing the boys on the swing and chasing after two dogs who would most likely get themselves wrapped around a tree as they fight with each other over who gets to eat the goldfish the boys had inadvertently (and purposefully) dropped on the ground.

As we finished up our sandwiches and the boys began to play, I found myself in the middle of one of those moments that you wish you could bottle up and save forever and ever.  A moment that is so full of love, joy and blessings that it fills your tank for all those other, less joyful, times.  The last three years have been filled with satisfying the needs of my children.  Feeding them, comforting them, holding their hand – and let’s not forget – carrying them everywhere.  And when I wasn’t carrying them, they were hanging on my legs like two little monkeys.  I’m sure you can imagine how difficult it becomes to clear the table and wash dishes with these two little attachments fastened securely to your feet. 

Last night was a completely different story.  I felt like a casual observer in the life of my children.  They played together like the brothers they are and the best friends they are becoming.  Benjamin was focused on his “lello dadu” (translation: yellow tractor) while Taylor was doing the rounds on the slide.  “Watch this, B” Taylor yells from the height of the top of the slide.  Benjamin was so intently focused on his tractor that he didn’t even take notice of Taylor, so I replied “I’m watching you, Taylor”  His response wasn’t the one of my little boy who needs mommy to kiss his “boo boo.”  He responded with “No, want B”  Once Benjamin took notice of Taylor’s escapades, the rounds began.  Taylor would slide down, climb the stairs and yell again “B, watch this!” 

Eventually, Benjamin decided to take part in the action.  They would rotate turns, yelling all the while “Watch this, Taylor!”  and Taylor would respond “okay” as he stood up to concentrate on watching Benjamin’s turn with extreme focus.  His was a very important job.  As the minutes ticked by, they showed each other their moves.  Sliding backwards.  Sliding on their belly.  Sliding head first.  And giggling up a storm each and every time.  Oh how I wish I could be sitting on that park bench right now, watching it all over again. 

In reflection I began to think, if two is more than double the work…could it be that two is also more than double the joy?  If you asked me last night, I would say most definitely.  I pray that on those mornings when Taylor wants to play with his “guy” and Benjamin throws it to the back of the car just to spite him, amid the screaming I would remember the joy that afternoon in the park brought and look forward to future joys with these two boys who continue to be blessings in the most unexpected ways.