The Most Perfect Phone Call

It had been a rough drop-off. He desperately needed the tissue that he held in his hand. And then had crumpled up and placed into the cupholder in his door. And the door slammed shut. And he slammed himself to the ground. It was an issue of the tissue. Sort of. But more that he wanted his way.

And so we walked up to the school building. Him screaming. Me, holding eye contact with the teacher holding the door. I attempted to hug him and he ran the opposite way. Away from the door. Away from me.

We’d not had a dropoff like that since the third day of school.

I do not like those dropoffs.

And then I had a voicemail. Ten minutes after dropoff, I had a voicemail. From his teacher. Jonah wanted to call you… she said… We’ll try you again in 10 minutes… she said.

And so when my phone rang with the number, I answered it quickly, with a smile on my face.

Ashli… this is Jonah’s teacher… he’s calmed down… but we talked about how we could handle ourselves differently… and how we could make the situation better… and he wanted to call you to say he was sorry. I’m going to put Jonah on.
……………………………………………………………………………….
“I’m sowwy mommy. I’m sowwy I made you sad.”
“I’m sorry you were sad, Jonah. But I’m glad you’ve calmed down.”
“Yeah.”
“You know I love you, right Jo?”
“Yeah.”
“No matter what you behave like. I love you, Jonah. But I was frustrated. Just like you.”
“Yeah… I’m sowwy mommy.”
“Thank you, Jonah. I’m sorry you were sad.”
“I wuv you, mommy.”
“Oh, Jonah. I love you, too, babe. Are you okay now?”
“Yeah.”
“Good, sweetie. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Bye, mommy.”
…………………………………………………………………………………
Why did he seem so much older than 3 at that moment? Had I never talked with him on the phone? Had I missed the moment where his speech had become so easy to understand? And where he could share his emotions so appropriately? I was so taken by how much he’d grown from the beginning of the year. And I was completely in love with that little voice on the other end. In a different kind of way than I’d ever felt.

His teacher walked me through what they’d done to calm him. And talked about how his friend Dean stepped in for hug duty. And I have to say, it was the loveliest phone call of my day. Probably of my week.

That kid. He’s my sourpatch son. Sour then sweet. Crazy then cuddly. Frustrating then hysterically funny. And there’s this light that sparks in him that is like none I’ve ever seen.

And that teacher… well, I think the world of her. And am thankful for the incredible experience she and the staff are providing him and us. And for giving me the most perfect phone call I may ever have with that kid. And I will hold on to that for a very long while.