Yesterday M started showing signs that he was getting sick. Cough. Mild fever. Runny nose. Lethargic. Crabby.

After endless googling, I think it’s just a common cold. We took a COVID test and it was negative. So I’m monitoring him to see what happens…

Anyway, as we were trying to settle him into bed I told him “we’re going to see XX tomorrow… so you need to get a good night’s sleep”…. After a while of unsuccessful sleep, we decided to bring him into bed with us since he seemed to be getting sicker. As the night went on… he progressively got worse.

Fast forward to this morning, he was worse than yesterday. So I texted Vo and told her that I didn’t want to take M out… she understood.

Almost immediately after he woke up M said “go see XX?” My heart sunk. I told him “no, he’s at school today.” Moments later he asked again. I didn’t even remind him about today’s scheduled plans, and the fact that he remembered made the decision even harder. I couldn’t decide whether to take him to the pumpkin patch or not.

Me and Vo have had this planned all month and I felt bad either way. “Ditching” my best friend or taking my son out on an adventure even though he’s clearly sick.

I kept asking him and he kept affirming that he wanted to go see XX.

I’m so glad we went. It was a marvelous day. When we arrived he had already been sleeping for 15 minutes, and Vo said they were going to be a little late. I’m glad they were because M got to sleep before the big day.

When they arrived I started to unpack the car and M woke up. Immediately after he opened his eyes he said “mom where XX go?”

I knew I didn’t make the wrong choice in coming to the patch.

When they arrived and they spotted us first, XX yelled out at us and M was so excited. As we entered the patch, M got out of the wagon and ran around excitedly with XX.

We walked through a haunted-themed maze. Steered a pirate ship. Played in a sand box. Made music. Pulled tractors and hay bales. Stood in a sunflower field. Went down a big slide. Played in a ballpit room. Didn’t get lost in a 3-acre corn maze. Bounced on pillows. Played with water wells. Walked for a long time.

It was a perfect day. Started out chilly, but then warmed up. It was pretty windy and my cheeks have some windburn!

My favorite part of the day: the corn maze.

When we started XX got nervous, but we assured him that we were all together and it was going to be okay. He kept saying “I hope we don’t get lost”. *same dude*

As we kept going Vo said “if I’m ever stuck on a deserted island, I hope I have you with me. You’re so calm and collected.” “Confidence is key,” I joked. I was just trying to assure XX that it was all going to be okay, so he didn’t get scared. As we were walking through, M got tired. I offered him a piggy back ride, and it was easily the best part. He sunk low on my back and wrapped his arms around me. It felt as though I was carrying him in his infant carrier from what feels like forever ago. In those 15 minutes, time went so slow.

I felt so blessed to be around those I love, carrying my son who’s burrowing his pounding head into my back for comfort, navigating the beautiful corn field that reminds me of my amazing grandfather, which leads me to memories of childhood and the AMAZING life I have led these last 28 years.