The Sound of Laughter

I had this post started several weeks ago. Then I deleted it. And waited. You see, my youngest two were in a good place together a few weeks ago. For a short while. And the sound of laughter was something we hadn't heard from them in quite a while. The two siblings. Separated (within our home) in months and years past to help them heal individually, with hopes that one day they would no longer trigger each other with constant reminders of their past and their wounds.

Healing happens. And then it stops. Then it moves forward inches at a time. It falters again. And so on. And so on. Small triumphs. Huge realizations. Good stuff. Hard stuff. Daily stuff. Sometimes all day "stuff."

Yet one morning I realized my kids were laughing with each other. First thing in the day. Just hanging out at breakfast. No reason. Just being siblings. And I smiled. Rejoiced. Praised God from my heart.

It fell apart. Again. Readjustments. Trying something new. Some space and some work. And today my kids did something they have never done before. Alone.

Wait for it.

They rode their bikes and roller bladed in front of our house and down the street.
Just the two of them. Hanging out. No worries about traffic or helmets. It was under control. I sat and watched and marveled. Something so natural for other kids was a huge step forward for mine. I trusted them to be safe in traffic and safe with each other.

And there was laughter.

And God smiled.

This mama smiled.

Ahh, the sound of laughter.

How sweet it is.