The Lamp



Here is where the lamp sits.



If you look closely, you can see the name 'Ethan'.

This lamp has been in our family for about eight years or so.  When we were living at my mom's house this lamp was in a more accessible place and I guess my little guy decided he wanted to write his name on it. This lamp was not cheap and I was not happy about the new label.  Ethan got in trouble, but the marker was permanent so the label stayed.
I was told as people were cleaning my house while Ethan was in the hospital that this lamp brought a tear to their eyes.  It does to me now.  I LOVE the label :)  I am forever grateful he wrote his name on it.  I know, weird.  But, anything to remember him by.
I try now to not be angry at my kids for the crazy things they do.  We try to talk it out more.  If I lost another one I would want them to have all the good memories--not the angry ones!  Or maybe I should say, I would have the good memories.  I tend to always remember the times I was the worst mother to Ethan.  There was a time I remember thinking I wasn't sure I liked him because he was so difficult.  I HATE that memory because I have always loved him.
Don't get me wrong, we do discipline our children. But, because of Ethan's lamp I am reminded that these little things they do wrong just don't matter. 
I also like Ethan's lamp reminding us of how we can be a "light" like he was.  He will always be our light.