The Eyes of a Child

Since last night, I have had my oldest Godson Aeden with me, alongside with his little sister Katheryn, who is also my little God Sister/God Niece.  I’ve kind of known for several weeks I would have had this opportunity to spend this weekend and have “Auntie Jenn” time with them.   All I can say the past 24 hours have been an interesting adventure but, I am very blessed and thankful all at the same time. More importantly, I sometimes wish I could see things through the eyes of a child.

The interesting part of my adventure began with my 6 year old God son asked me, “Aunt Jenn are you married? Do you have any kids? Will you one day get married? Who will be my uncle?”  After considering his questions and trying not to laugh, I began playing his little game and letting Aeden make some “big boy” decisions.  I just couldn’t believe he asked these types of questions.

So I asked him about the type of man he wanted me to be with; just for kicks because for me, I gave up on perfection a long time ago.  Honestly, with the way my life is going, poor Aeden’s thoughts and wishes might be a dream. So, I guess you’re pretty curious what the little man said.

He said this:
Light eyes like mine, light hair like mine, drive blue or grey truck, kind and smart, funny, tall, big and strong so he can tackle people and lift him up on the his shoulders to he can make baskets in the hoop, he needs to treat me right and be able to protect me, he needs to have lots of kids in his family just like Aeden’s family, he needs to like animals, he should play football, have knowledge of business and sports, and  he’ll go to the school where you go.  More importantly I bet I’ll see him today. 

As I tried to not laugh about I luckily was able to change the subjects.  He asked me why I left the country.  I told him I went to study in Australia for school.  He said he was ok with seeing me on the computer and talking on the phone a few times. Still, if I went back he’d be ok, he guessed.

I told him, being 25 I had the opportunity to travel, living in another country for work, and it would be hard if I was married.  Also, I don’t know of man out there would understand my heart’s desires of going back to Australia. Yet, it was like but, still.

Having the opportunity to sit in the stands, seeing my university play their last game of the season, in the same stadium where in 2005 I had my last football game as a senior in HS. How I miss Stockdale sometimes.  Yet, it amazed me how Aeden was so excited be there.  For the most part, he was excited to see the offense play but, more so to see the defense play. 

In the 2^nd half of the game,  I continued to share in the working of the game, and seeing the excitement in his eyes! Even more his excitement occurred when a defender caught an interception.  As the minutes ticked away, all he could say, “Jenn, I want to meet number…” and he told me the number.  I couldn’t believe who he wanted to me.  He was like please!!! 

So, at the end of the game, with the help of a few people I knew and God’s grace, Aeden was able to meet his “hero” of the game.  The funny part was he had me running almost 50 yards alongside the track to meet him.  I can hear him now, “Jenn.. Jennifer HURRY up, he’s going away..”

Well through God giving me courage, I called out to the player’s name. With a smile on his face, he was kind enough to stop and it played out with much more than I could have ever expected or imagine.  Sad part, I had my phone in hand and I didn’t even take a picture.  All I could think about was letting the player get to his family. Who was Aeden and I?

On the way to my Jeep and on the way up to Canyon Lake to meet up with my parents, for majority of the way all Aeden kept on talking about was how he just met his hero, except he was a little sad he didn’t get a picture but, he hoped one day he’d see him again.  I tell him just pray to God and see what God has planned.  Midway through our ride, he says, how this guy is perfect and would be the kind, sweet, and smart protector I need in my life.

 As we’re jamming out to “Brave” and I’m singing away to him, he pops out and says, “You know he’s the one God has for you. He's going to protect you and beat up the bad guys and he'll teach me more about football!”  I started busting out laughing.  I tell him he’s crazy and he’s very funny.  He says I’m the crazy and funny one and need to see the truth.  I ask him what brought all of this on and his response is, “You’ll never know because I’ll either never tell you or I’ll tell you ONE day.”

We get back and progress into dinner tonight and Aeden decides to tell the story of his hero to the story to his sister and my parents. He’s at the table on the patio smiling away. You can see the light and innocent in his eyes. He just went on and on about his hero and wished he could have taken a picture but, since he didn’t maybe God would let him meet him again.

All I could do is just sit back and let him tell his story.  In the back of my mind I just wanted to tell Aeden, “Aeden, Aunt Jenn just wants to finish her degree in August, save up money, move to Sydney, Australia for work and baton twirling for the next 5 years, be able to travel, earn my PhD, and just see where God’s taking me. Yet, I know how much you’d like for me to get married, you to have an “uncle”  to teach you about football and other sports, and have other kids to play with one day.”

Nevertheless, while I reflect back on the adventures of today, I cannot be upset for the young boy. He was excited about going to his first football game with his Aunt Jenn. He had no problem showing off his “future d-line” shirt I created for him. Mostly, he says he’s just enjoyed being with me.  Finally, after 6 years of his life, to have this moment, I couldn’t traded for the world. Who knows, maybe God’s preparing me.

What people don’t know is I didn’t want to come home this weekend. I only pushed to come home when I knew my dad had today off because, he rarely gets it as a self-employed pharmacist, and I know one day, I may not have this time to spend with the kids. More importantly, I knew my parents for some odd reason wanted to go to the game, since we only live like 20 miles from Seguin.  I have no regrets. (Little did I know I’m helping Aeden earn a patch for Scouts)

God I don’t know why Aeden has said what he’s said. Completely a CURVEBALL to me y’all!  All I can do is just smile.  Still, I can only look at times through the eyes of a child!