A Momma's Promise

Teddy was a whirlwind of sunshine. Imagine sunshine with blonde hair, a freckled nose dusted like cinnamon, and eyes as blue as the summer sky, magnified behind big, round glasses. He was six and still on the go. Zoom! Whizz! Pow! That was Teddy's language. He loved superheroes, baseball, and anything that moved fast–especially if it involved him moving fast too!

Illustration: FCCAnd then there tv was Momma. Momma was Teddy’s entire world. She had warm hugs that smelled like vanilla and patience that stretched as long as a giraffe’s neck. She laughed at Teddy's silly jokes, bandaged his scraped knees, and knew just how to make his favorite pancakes - with a side of freshly cut strawberries and extra powdered sugar, of course!

Their days were filled with giggles and baseball games. Building towering castles of blocks that always came crashing down, frightening his dog, Sherman. Learning to snowboard indoors and splashing around in our neighborhood pool, all became their happy place. Doing science experiments and building spaceships that covered the long kitchen table.. These were their "normal" days, the days Momma worked so hard to create.

But Teddy's life had other days, too. Some days felt distinct. Days with hushed hallways and the smell of antiseptic. Days spent hooked up to iv infusions and sweet nurses checking in on him.. Teddy’s body was a bit like a delicate puzzle. Some pieces didn’t quite fit together as easily as others. He had visits to and sometimes… hospital stays.

the doctor’s office smells funny. And sometimes, they poke me with things that aren’t very fun. But Momma is always right there. She squeezes my hand and makes a funny face at me when the doctor isn’t looking. She says I’m brave. I try to be… like a superhero!

Momma’s Perspective – thought bubble above Momma’s head): Each beep, each poke, steals a little piece of my heart. I wish I could take it all away, all the discomfort, all the worry. But I can’t. All I can do is to be his shield, his rock, while I try to explain to Teddy what is happening to him and why it has to be done. And whisper my promise. That’s what keeps me going too.

Every night, after stories and songs and maybe just a little monster-checking under the bed, it was time for the special part of the day. Bedtime cuddle time. Teddy would snuggle close to Momma, his small body fitting perfectly against hers. And then, in the quiet dark, Momma would whisper.

Text, in a soft, flowing script, overlaid on the illustration): “You are my MY love,” Text, in soft, flowing script, overlaid on the illustration): “Now go to sleep.”

Text, in soft, flowing script, overlaid on the illustration): “My heart will love you tonight, tomorrow, and for all the forevers. You know that mommas so proud of you. Text, in soft, flowing script, overlaid on the illustration): “I promise to be your safe spot and protect you.”

Text, in soft, flowing script, overlaid on the illustration): “I will always be right here, no matter what.”