Late Night with Matthew

 Last I came home around 10:00 PM from a Christmas “Favorite Things” party. It was delightful gathering with friends. As I was giving John a run down of the evening, Matthew sauntered in, exclaiming he couldn’t sleep. I felt instant alarm realizing two hours after bedtime meant this boy was going to have a hard Friday. I am so grateful I paused before I told him to scurry back to bed. I realized we never carved time for his homework, so I told him to meet me at the dining room table. I said prayers with John so he could go to sleep then joined Matthew. I plugged in all the lights, and lit a couple candles. There was something both charming and warm about doing his work by candlelight. As soon as I lit the candles, Matthew said “can we say a prayer after we’re done?” Matthew is a busy, busy boy. He doesn’t naturally have many moments a day of stillness. I find it so sweet that when we create it, he often feels a peace that He has come to associate with the presence of the Holy Ghost. He finished his week’s homework rather quickly, then I told him to meet me at the couch with a few Christmas books. We haven’t read from our Christmas pile hardly at all, so it was such a joy to cuddle under a blanket and read aloud with Matthew as we took turns reading each page. The lights of our beautiful tree, the sentimental stories, the sound of his heavy breathing as he started to get sleepy: it was a special night. A simple night, that I was able to connect with my sweet Matthew. 

Matthew is at a sweet stage. He loves playing with his nutcracker collection. Matthew will set up battle scenes, including his army guys amongst his loyal nutcrackers, and when I comment on how cool it is, he will look up at me and smile with his adorable dimple and I thank the heaven for little boys. Matthew gets giggle attacks multiple times a day and cannot get it together. I love how easily he laughs and how much he loves it. Matthew is bright and picks up on storylines during our read aloud, making impressive connections. He is also a skilled competitor at boardgames and card games! Matthew is always down for a game! 

What a sweet and comforting blessing last night was for me to be with Matthew alone enjoying the Christmas spirit.