Silas
The boy was warm and taking deep breaths. Two year old Silas had been lying on his grandfather for 45 minutes. Duane considered the weight of the child. His wife would say she felt squished whenever he was on her. She also joked she got her weight training carrying him. Though he could walk, they loved to spoil him. When he was sick, like today, Silas’s grandparents did all possible to ease his pain.
Duane could feel the drool soaking his shirt. Due to congestion, Silas was breathing through his mouth. He had grown so much in two short years. Duane marveled at Silas’s sense of humor despite him not laughing very often. He preferred to make the humor rather than enjoy it. Duane chuckled at the thought of something Silas likes to do. The shaking of his body caused Silas to start. Then he relaxed and his breathing resumed.
Silas has a knack for throwing things accurately. His father, an athlete, is overjoyed by this. One day, with his toy basketball set, Silas made three baskets in a row when standing two feet away. All who witnessed this were quite excited and praised Silas for his accuracy. Then he missed several shots in a row and after each, Duane said, “You missed.”
With his beloved childlike innocence, he got excited about this too. After each miss he exclaimed, “I missed.” Each time this caused a great outroar of laughter. He continues to do this to his great personal delight. With a heart warmed by love, Duane hugged Silas and tenderly kissed his head. Duane mused how snuggling with babies on his chest is one of the best gifts on God’s green earth.
“Papa?” Silas whispered.
Softly, Duane replied, “Silas?”
Silas made no further reply and Duane wondered if the lad was asleep again. Then Silas pushed up and sat on Duane’s stomach. Looking down at his grandfather, Silas stared absently for a moment. Silently, he started looking around the room. Silas began gesturing to items in the rooms and calling out their names. ‘Lock, (clock), pillow, blanky, hand, head, ear, mouth, etc. Then he gestured to the ceiling fan. As always, he thrust out his hand, like he could cause changes in the natural order of things, and commanded, “Stop!”
Duane smiled. Silas smiled. All was right in the world.
