Days 94-98 – What We Don’t Know We Know

Since he is six months old he cannot "know" that we experience his gaze as sweet, intense & even wise. He cannot "know" that the little girl is his big sister, that the woman taking the picture is his mother & that his mother has cancer (She is open about this & we seek prayers.)

Yet in some impossible way, this youngest grandson of mine seems to "know" that his mother is sick. Friends comment, "He is so calm & cheerful." His older brother Miles says, "he only fusses when his diaper is wet!"

When I mention that baby Reed is trying to care for his mom people smile. So does his mom, who feels better every time she looks at him, holds him, loves him.

Reed senses what we think he cannot understand. Yet, whether or not he really "knows" one thing is clear: This tiny angel is one of his mother's best caregivers.

-Erie Chapman

Photo by Jennifer Chapman

Published by

swiftlyunabashed93c6d9b23b

Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

Tags: babies as caregivers, cancer, caregivers, Erie Chapman Foundation, six months old, transcendental knowing

5 responses to “Days 94-98 – What We Don’t Know We Know”

Elizabeth Aquino

April 2, 2018 at 1:47 am

My god. This is so beautiful. I wasn’t aware of your daughter’s cancer and send all the loving thoughts and healing surges her way.

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Terry Chapman

April 2, 2018 at 4:36 am

My prayers and positive hopes to all of you in this challenging situation! Yes, knowing and caring are human characteristics that surpass our understanding. Words are not necessarily the best approach; often, simple touch and visual attention to another person, can heal and provide moments of love transcending our knowledge of life as we live it. Caregiver, indeed!

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Ginger Brown

April 2, 2018 at 7:46 am

Beautiful words. I too will be holding your daughter and all of her family in my prayers.

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~liz Wessel

April 2, 2018 at 8:31 am

I am so touched by the love that radiates in the faces of little Reed & his big sister, Sofia. Their expressions say so much more than words can. Yet, your words share with us a beautiful awareness & free flow nature of being loved & responding in kind and the deep bond of mother & child & family.
Thanks you for sharing, Erie. I will keep your daughter in law, Jennifer in my heart and prayers as well as you & your family.
So true, Love is a powerful healer & little Reed the best medicine ever…

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Todd Meador

April 2, 2018 at 2:58 pm

I am touched and inspired by this post and am doing the only caregiving I know how to do at this moment and am sending loving and healing thoughts to all in your family.

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