THE HEALING WARMTH OF A SON'S LOVE
Elizabeth Asahi Sato, Executive MPA
CEO/Founder Rise to Excellence, Human Resource and DEIAJ (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, Inclusivity, Equality & Justice), Organizational Consultant for private, public, tribal, inclusive faith-based & nonprofits
My youngest, Elijah, and I have always been close. He was born two months prematurely and was the first neonatal baby at the Kaiser Sunnyside Neonatal Unit. We were there for a week despite him weighing 7.5 pounds and measuring 24 inches long. This was during my prediabetic phase, so I carried big babies. There is no telling how large he would have grown full-term, but he now wears nearly size 14 shoes.
Elijah might have been a divine intervention. His Father, James, was not too keen about getting a vasectomy, but he was done after two sons. Elijah was conceived in my womb shortly after Samuel's birth, as he was born about eleven months later. It was a miracle birth, just like my firstborn Gabriel, but those are other equally delightful stories to share. Elijah and I always enjoyed each other's company from that first week. He nursed the longest and was teased extensively by his Father and brothers for being a "mommy's boy," but Elijah held his own. He was always strong, bright, and inquisitive. He enjoyed similar things to me: our trips to Starbucks, reading the New York Times, and even now, his love of plants, animals, and exquisite cuisine.
Elijah has done very well for himself, not only financially, but he has a wonderful partner, John, and is Papa to kitty Nico, Nora, and puppy Walter. He works hard and has a strong work ethic, but also enjoys the outdoors, often camping, fishing, or hiking. We enjoy each other's company, whether sitting quietly or carrying on a long and lovely conversation. He completely understands me. Sometimes, he calls when I am a little worried or down. We often joke that we may be clairvoyant when it comes to a best friend; Elijah completely "gets me," though I am a very complex and deep human soul. He is genuinely compassionate and loving but has more wisdom than his mother about human beings and life circumstances, and that is why his middle name, Solomon, seems so appropriate.
During his recent trip to Portland, he took me out tree shopping, knowing how much I enjoy the scent of a freshly cut Christmas tree. I didn't ask; he just set the excursion up. We were going to explore Vineyards and wine tasting, but many wineries were closed after the holiday. The gorgeous weather and the Columbia Gorge were beckoning when we visited a brewery overlooking the Columbia. Elijah is very impromptu like me and loves exploring and traveling. He and John stopped at a Pendleton Store. Elijah told me to select anything I liked. Of course, Elijah bought his mother her first unique Pendleton blanket and a beautiful alpaca sweater. He would have continued finding things to spoil his mother, but I insisted those two items were more than enough.
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Elijah knows and understands that his mother loves to give gifts, including blankets. Still, he wanted to be the first to grace his mommy with a beautiful blanket (I believe) representing the warmth of his love. When we returned home, I immediately retired to my room. I was sad my sons would leave the following day, but they have many responsibilities for their respective professional careers. As I lay in bed, tears of joy filled my eyes, and I thanked God for the warmth of my son's love because, lately, I have been very uncomfortable and in constant physical pain. My head and cervical spine have been hurting a great deal since I sustained a fall, and the pain is now radiating down my arms and legs. I have been to numerous specialists since the fall after our basement's foundation flooded. I slipped when I was cleaning up the water to mitigate damage. I landed on my head and neck, and the injury continues to create issues. Last night was the first time I slept so soundly.
The warmth of Elijah Blaket seems to comfort me with his medicine. The warmth of the wool blanket eased all my aching sore spots. I did not wake up until 7 am, which is unusual for me as it is hard to fall asleep, let alone stay asleep. This morning, I made it a point to wear the beautiful tan and white Alpaca sweater Elijah gifted me to show him how much I adored it and to illustrate my appreciation. It is my first Pendleton sweater, too. I have never been a mommy to buy myself expensive gifts as I am very practical, like my Okaasan (mother). Still, I have always been showered with beautiful, expensive, and unique gifts from Elijah. Whether from Bali or Thailand or any of his travels, he always finds the right gift. It is possible, and it is very likely, that Elijah transferred his concern for me onto the blanket and into the sweater. His love is precious medicine, and I can tell you they are already working.
My sons beckon me to take care of and live long like my Okaasan, but I have had a challenging life in so many ways that it takes a toll on my energy. I got up this morning and resolved to have the doctors recheck my cervical spine and head. After all, they did not find my Father's brain tumor for decades, though he constantly complained of headaches. Pain is a very distracting and deceptive phenomenon. It can cause fatigue and even depression. Even very strong people can succumb to pain.
Elijah, John, and Little Walter have just left and returned to their home. While I am a little sad, I look forward to our next visit, where I am certain Elijah will spoil me with German pancakes from scratch, take me to the finest restaurants, and buy me the best, most comfortable shoes or whatever else his mother needs. But all I need is him--just Elijah and his healing love. Believe me; it is not the material things he gifts that make my heart soar but that he is always willing to help his mother with prep, cooking family dinners, helping me ready the house, and finding the right things for all of the houses we have lived in, and better yet noticing the littlest thing to bring me joy that no one else seems to see or discern. I am a simple woman with simple tastes. Elijah understands my heart; nothing is as fulfilling or healing as a son's love and warmth. Thank you, Creator/God, for all three of my sons, but for today, I want to express my gratitude for my youngest, Elijah Kent. Always and forever, Mommy
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