Every Single Day is his Best Day

Most mornings feels the same to me as the mom. Most days the same too.

Kids. Work. Cooking. Cleaning.

Up too early. Wondering if my son will ever learn to sleep in and if the other one will ever sleep through the night.

I mentally taking note of everything that needs to happen to get the day started while praying that my husband programmed the coffee pot to brew so it’s ready when I get downstairs.

Cooper is on the couch surrounded by photos of his family, owls, penguins and tigers so excited that today is today. And that I’m here with him.

Steve Harvey is teasing the contestants on his show. Drew Carey saying $35 on repeat. It feels too early for game shows. Cooper disagrees.

Me saying, ‘turn it down buddy’ one too many times.

And then we sit, me watching the news, until he gets my attention.

He will tap my arm first. Then say ‘M-AW-M’ over and over again, getting louder and louder.

When I turn my head, he will gently grab my face with one hand and use his other hand to hold his iPad right in front of my face.

I know exactly what he is going to show me. Because he shows me every morning, as if it’s the first time.

A slow smile will emerge on his face as we wait for his favorite train to come around the track. It’s yellow. It’s huge. It’s his favorite.

He is waiting for my reaction. Almost giddy.

As it approaches he will get this look on his face…’are you seeing this?!??’

Once the train erupts by on the screen he will clap. And take both my hands to clap too if I don’t immediately start.

He is so proud to show me because he is showing me something he loves. And he wants me to love it too.

After the train rolls by he will switch the screen immediately and grab his ears while smiling.

Seconds later an owl will hoot. That draws a gasp and a look of pure joy. He loves the hoot of an owl.

I gasp with him and tell him that train is my absolute favorite.

That draws a grunt as if to say, ‘obviously mom. Duh. It’s the best.’

Then we hoot like owls. All before 6 am.

Every morning is this kid’s best day. His favorite day. He doesn’t lead some exceptional life. He isn’t going to theme parks or traveling.

Instead, he’s looking at trains and owls and sharing them with his mom. And clapping.

We should all be more like Cooper. Sharing the things we love with the people we love. And gasping.

And treating every day as if it’s our best day. Smart kid.

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