u s e y o u r h a n d s

We’re now well into the frustrating little window that is cruising. Gus has just learned how to pull up and take those first tentative steps while clinging on to hands, furniture, cats and air. Sometimes, his grip fails. And sometimes, I can’t catch him on time and he hits his head on the ground.

Last week, he got his first bruise. I’ve been used to seeing his skin smooth and perfect, with not even a smidgen of a birth mark. This wound is just the start of a lifetime of hurts. I don’t want him to be in pain, but when he is, I want him to learn from those wounds, to do better.

So I don’t always catch him just before he falls. Sometimes, when it’s safe, Gus gets hurt. And soon, he’ll walk.