Mommy, I Sad

Isaac came in from jumping on the trampoline this afternoon to a VERY BUSY Mommy and Daddy who were trying to make a handout for my first Power of Moms Girls Night Out tonight. 

Isaac: Mommy . . . Mom . . . Mom?  I sad.
Me: (Trying to over-dramatize all of my actions and make him laugh, I scoop him up in a HUGE bear hug and kiss his forehead with a loud kiss) You're sad?  Why are you sad?
Isaac: Cuz I want jump on trampoline, and it too hot.
Me: Uh-oh!  It's too hot outside?
Isaac: Yeah.
Me: I'm sorry.  Are you going to be okay?
Isaac: Yeah.
Me: (thinking this exchange is more about him needing attention than anything else) Do you want to go outside now and jump on the trampoline?
Isaac: No. It too hot. (He stands there, head bowed, not moving.  I know this is my cue for something, but I'm not sure exactly what it is yet."
Me: Well, we can try again in the morning before it gets hot.
Isaac: (nothing - not even a raised eyebrow from this sullen boy)
Me: Or you could go in Abby's room and play with the blocks.
Isaac: (light comes on - followed by smiles and excited shouts as he runs across the room) Yeah!  I can play blocks!

I think this is okay and return to my project.  A few seconds later. . .
Isaac: Mom. Mommy.  Mom? I sad.
Me: Isaac?  Why are you sad?
Isaac: Mom - c'mere, Mom.  C'mon, Mommy - c'mon. (he takes my hand to lead me across the hall)
Me: Just one second, Isaac - let me finish this one thing.
Isaac: (to his credit, he waits a few seconds) Mom? Mommy.  Mom?  Will you please come here?  Mommy?  Please come here, Mom.

I immediately get up and walk across the room and get out the blocks and clean up the other toys so he can see them and focus and build without other distractions/toys in the way.  Then I return to what I was doing.

Why did I write this tonight?  Well, a few reasons.
1) This is the first time Isaac has come and identified to me how he was feeling and why AND waited for me to offer a solution to his problem that would really SOLVE his problem.  That HAS to be a developmental milestone recorded in some book somewhere as something that he will start doing at this age.  And I am really, really proud of him!
2) I was working on a handout for a meeting designed to help me be a better MOTHER.  Living deliberately to create the life I want AND my children want/need.  And yet I was ignoring a perfect opportunity to put it to action!  Now there ARE times and seasons for these moments.  There are times to play and times to focus on something else.  And there are lessons for kids to learn in each of those times.  But today -- TODAY -- Isaac needed me.  My undivided attention.  A playmate bigger than Abby.  Help with his newly-identified problem.  And I don't think I respond to those needs nearly as often as I should.
3) My little boy is growing up.  And someday, in the not-too-distant future, I am going to want to hear his voice, to pause the clock for a minute to remember what he said, how he said it, how I felt when I heard it.  Someday he isn't going to come to me for help.  He might not even be willing to tell me when he is sad.  And he definitely won't invite me to come to his aid and be his playmate.  And when that happens, it will make ME sad. 

But for now . . . for today . . . I just want to remember.