Connected Souls

Will has not yet mastered the art of speaking in the future tense, so everything always happens now, in the moment, or in the past, or in some strange combination of the two.

For example, "When I was a grown up, I will be big and strong."

Yesterday morning, in the middle of playing blocks, with Jake and the Neverland Pirates squawking in the background, we were discussing as a family that Will should make good choices.

Like...taking that block away from your brother while he's chewing on it is not a good choice.

And he made some strange declarations.

"Daddy, when you was a baby, you couldn't make choices, but when I was a big kid I will make good choices."

We sort of nodded, not really comprehending that specific train of thought, but nothing unusual. Personally, I squirmed, but didn't correct, the improper use of "was" in that sentence.

He continued. "Daddy, you was a bad guy before, and I was the good guy."

"Do you mean when we were playing Captain Hook and Peter Pan?"

"No, when you was a big kid and I was a big kid, you was a bad guy and I was a good guy."

Greg dismissed it as more ramblings. But I couldn't help but think my little old soul Will was sharing secrets again.

It's not a belief that everyone shares, but it happens to be mine: we are connected. Our souls choose their company from life to life. Never mind that we return again and again to keep learning; we choose to surround ourselves with the same people.

Like your very best friend who so often feels like a sister.

Or that one person who always gives you the heebie-jeebies.

These feelings could stem from past life interactions.

And immediately, I thought to my friend Denise.

After revealing last year that we were expecting again, Denise called to tell me that she has sensed this soul hanging around for awhile, chomping at the bit for us to make up our minds about a second child so he or she could join our family.

So excited was sweet little Reid, that he jumped head first. A little bump on the way down, a little helmet to fix him up. :o)

At lunch this afternoon, I stared at Will, peanut butter and honey all over those fingers, milk dribbling down his chin, big goofy grin as he sang some variation of the word "Mommy," and then Reid, piercing blue eyes that seem to give away his mood before he can verbalize it, soggy goldfish cracker on his shirt.

And all I could think was, "You picked us."

This week, as you tend to your Reese's Peanut Butter Cup hangover, and you spot treat vampire blood out of costumes, it will probably be November 1st, All Saint's Day, or All Soul's Day. In traditional Catholic faith, it is a time to pray for and honor loved ones who have passed.

I will be honoring my connections, undoubtedly grateful for those around me, present and past, comforted in knowing we keep choosing each other.