Worth the wait

After 15 years, it finally happened. And it was worth the wait. For the first time, Jackson said, “I love you.” Not clearly, of course, but the message was unmistakable.

This monumental milestone occurred a couple of weeks ago when a nasty stomach virus was being passed around at his house. Among the kids, it hit Sara first, then Christian, and Jackson last. Angy had already spent days cleaning up after sick kids—including Mother's Day—before Jackson got it. And our big darlin' won't throw up in a container. It just happens wherever it happens.

So Angy spent a lot of time throughout the days and nights bathing him (in addition to continually washing clothes, towels, and sheets). After getting Jackson cleaned up the first time, she heard those long-awaited words, “I love you.” And after every clean-up, she heard them again. What a way for Jackson to say thank you! And how sweet God is to give her that when she needed it the most.

The next time I saw Jackson, Angy was at home sick, so the kids and I were in the car without her. Jackson was so happy to get to ride in the front seat. When I got in beside him, he smiled and said, “I love you.” It was the first time I got to hear it, and I have no words for how much it blessed me.

Jackson turned 15 on June 1 and Sara will be 4 on June 11. They had a joint party at Mema and Rex’s last Saturday with a bouncy house and a rock-n-roll theme. Jackson actually wore the weird glasses, which was an unusual thing for him to do.

Jackson's 15th birthday party

He had been saying and singing “Happy Birthday” for weeks prior. The party apparently lived up to his expectations, because Jackson was in a glorious mood all day. And his joy is infectious. After we sang the birthday song—to Jackson's great delight—he blew out the candle on his third attempt, and we applauded enthusiastically. As Angy passed out cupcakes, five-year-old “Little” (aka Dale Box III) said, “This is a really happy day.” Amen, Little.

Jackson received gift cards for iTunes and Bath & Body Works, plus lots of scented hand sanitizers and body lotions. When he opened the Bath & Body Works gift cards from his Uncle Deke, realizing it meant he would get to browse the store and smell everything in it before making his selections, Jackson said, “Bye.” He was ready to go right then, even before opening the rest of his gifts.

Every day since, he's been telling Angy, “Birthday on Saturday.” Jackson doesn't get the concept of time, and he was wanting another one the following week. Maybe when we buy him hand sanitizers one day and he begs for some again the next day, he really thinks it's been an awfully long time since he's gotten any.

Yet another milestone occurred a few days ago. Angy and I were talking on the phone, and I could hear Jackson in the background repeating, “Hi. Hi. Hi.” She said he was waving while he said it. Although Jackson has never asked to speak to me on the phone, he started tapping his ear. Angy realized it was his way of signing that he wanted to talk, so she held the phone to his ear.

People who don't know Jackson probably wouldn’t have understood his words, but Angy and I heard, “Mema's house. Grandma's house. Nana's house.” He was wanting to go somewhere, anywhere, and didn't care whether it was to my mom's, Darrell's mom's, or my house. I told him when we leave Mema's on Sunday, I'll bring him home with me for a while. His response was, “I love you. I love you.” Then he walked away from the phone.

Jackson also told Sara the other day that he loves her. Hopefully, this isn't just a phase he's going through and he won't stop saying it. Jackson has always looked into my eyes with such love that I never doubted how he felt, but it's beyond wonderful to actually hear him say it after all these years. The long wait makes it even sweeter.

“Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name.” (1 Chron. 29:13)